

Mission Organization Chart Statutes Activities Plan Strategy Contacts National Legislation European Community Notification of Mergers Merger Decisions Other Cases and Decisions Non-notification cases Competition Authority European Commission Responsibilities National Bilateral Multilateral OECD WTO UNCTAD	Cooperation - International Competition Network On 7 February 2006, the Authority participated in a workshop organised by the CPI Subgroup (Consumers Public Information Subgroup) of the ICN (International Competition Network) on the subject of “Business Outreach”. This meeting systematised the questions that a national competition authority is being asked in its relationship with the corporate and business world. Particular prominence was given to the need for national competition authorities not to centre their communication solely on consumers and the general public but also to pay special attention to the world of business. It was mentioned, in particular, that the national competition authorities have a role to play in promoting acquaintance with and the visibility of good company practice, on the subject of competition. In March 2006, the Competition Authority was invited to make a contribution to the ICN Merger Workshop that took place in Washington DC, USA. The issue addressed was 'Notification Thresholds for Mergers between Undertakings', in the light of the experience gained on this matter with the application of Law No. 18/2003. A critical appreciation was also presented regarding the suitability of the current alternative thresholds (creation/attainment of a market share equal to or greater than 30% and an overall turnover of over €150 million, provided that two of the participating companies have a turnover of above €2 million) and the prospects of their possible modification in the future. It should be mentioned that the Competition Authority began its participation in the ICN working groups in the area of mergers between undertakings: it prepared information sheets on its decision-making practice and the Portuguese legislation and co-operated on questionnaires and in other initiatives. In 2006, the Competition Authority also began to cooperate actively in the Working Group on Cartels, concentrating its activity on the development of a Procedures Manual for the investigation of cartels (especially the chapter on investigative techniques) and on cooperation between national competition authorities in the pursuit and conviction of international cartels. The Competition Authority also participated in the Cartels Workshop that took place in the Hague from 13-16 November. The Annual ICN Conference, which was held from 3-5 May in Cape Town, South Africa, with over 50 nationalities represented, was also attended by Competition Authority representatives. The business and academic communities were similarly represented. The results of the activities carried out by the different ICN working groups were presented at this conference, in particular those under the following titles: Business Outreach Project, Partnership and Consultation Model, Advocacy and the Judiciary, Mergers Guidelines Workbook, Country Studies, Competition and Development, Private Enforcement and Cartel Rules. A new ICN working group on unilateral conduct was also launched, with the Bundeskartellamt (Germany) and Federal Trade Commission (USA) as co-presidents.

Cooperation - International Competition Network

On 7 February 2006, the Authority participated in a workshop organised by the CPI Subgroup (Consumers Public Information Subgroup) of the ICN (International Competition Network) on the subject of “Business Outreach”. This meeting systematised the questions that a national competition authority is being asked in its relationship with the corporate and business world. Particular prominence was given to the need for national competition authorities not to centre their communication solely on consumers and the general public but also to pay special attention to the world of business. It was mentioned, in particular, that the national competition authorities have a role to play in promoting acquaintance with and the visibility of good company practice, on the subject of competition.

In March 2006, the Competition Authority was invited to make a contribution to the ICN Merger Workshop that took place in Washington DC, USA. The issue addressed was 'Notification Thresholds for Mergers between Undertakings', in the light of the experience gained on this matter with the application of Law No. 18/2003. A critical appreciation was also presented regarding the suitability of the current alternative thresholds (creation/attainment of a market share equal to or greater than 30% and an overall turnover of over €150 million, provided that two of the participating companies have a turnover of above €2 million) and the prospects of their possible modification in the future. It should be mentioned that the Competition Authority began its participation in the ICN working groups in the area of mergers between undertakings: it prepared information sheets on its decision-making practice and the Portuguese legislation and co-operated on questionnaires and in other initiatives.

In 2006, the Competition Authority also began to cooperate actively in the Working Group on Cartels, concentrating its activity on the development of a Procedures Manual for the investigation of cartels (especially the chapter on investigative techniques) and on cooperation between national competition authorities in the pursuit and conviction of international cartels. The Competition Authority also participated in the Cartels Workshop that took place in the Hague from 13-16 November.

The Annual ICN Conference, which was held from 3-5 May in Cape Town, South Africa, with over 50 nationalities represented, was also attended by Competition Authority representatives. The business and academic communities were similarly represented. The results of the activities carried out by the different ICN working groups were presented at this conference, in particular those under the following titles: Business Outreach Project, Partnership and Consultation Model, Advocacy and the Judiciary, Mergers Guidelines Workbook, Country Studies, Competition and Development, Private Enforcement and Cartel Rules. A new ICN working group on unilateral conduct was also launched, with the Bundeskartellamt (Germany) and Federal Trade Commission (USA) as co-presidents.