Competition and Regulation in Network Industries

Reform and innovation in times of crisis

The State’s rescue intervention in sectors which had been liberalized some time ago and were thought to be able to function through market-mechanism alone highlights the importance of conducting well-thought and accompanied reforms. But the current economic crisis and ensuing return of governments to economic affairs should not distract us from the necessity to manage the reforms of network industries. To the contrary, it should serve as a time to reflect on the pace, scope of the reforms that need to be carried out as well as of the role the various stakeholders are bound to play.

In this framework, the second annual conference on competition and regulation in network industries will address regulatory reforms in times of crisis. Given the weight of infrastructures in the economic stimulus plan, it will also investigate investment in utilities in times of crisis. To avoid a gloom and doom perspective, the conference will also address regulatory and technological innovation in network industries.

Parallel sessions, including but not restricted to:

Ø Innovation in network industries

Ø EU infrastructure policy

Ø Infrastructure  investment in times of crisis

Ø Liberalization models for network industries

Ø Challenges in network industry regulation