Competition Law of Panama: Structure, Enforcement and Recent Reforms

Abstract

Competition policies were established in Panama, for the first time, through the enactment of the Law 29 of 1996 that constitutes their general consumer protection and competition regime. After the enactment of the Law 29 there has been an important regulatory development and issuance of Guidelines that instruct the citizens regarding the compliance of the competition rules.

This document, written in Spanish, presents the structure of the competition regime in Panama and the content of the recent reforms, especially the Decree Law No. 9 of 2006, current since May 2 of 2006. Additionally, the features of the enforcement of the statutes are explained in the context of the performance of the antitrust authorities.

Note: Downloadable Document is in Spanish.

Keywords: ley de defensa de la competencia, practicas monopolisticas absolutas y relativas, poder sustancial de mercado, concentraciones economicas, Panama

JEL Classification: K21