The UNCTAD evaluated the technical assistance provided to the CS for the period starting from April 2009 until March 2010, through the COMPAL II Program, whose objective is to strengthen the institutions and capacities in competition and consumer protection policies.

1. Press Release
C. 12-10
El Salvador, April 20th, 2010.
Evaluation of Technical Assistance in Competition
Concluded Successfully
The technical assistance in competition matters provided to the Competition Superintendence
(CS) by the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, hereinafter UNCTAD,
through it technical assistance program for “Strengthening of the Institutions and Capacities
with respect the Competition and Consumer Protection Policies” (COMPAL II Program), was
evaluated successfully.
The UNCTAD evaluated the technical assistance provided to the CS for the period
“During the meeting, starting from April 2009 until March 2010, through the COMPAL II Program, whose
the experiences of objective is to strengthen the institutions and capacities in competition and consumer
various countries in protection policies.
the development of the
In the aforementioned meeting, the results of the Program in Nicaragua, Costa Rica,
COMPAL II Program Peru, and Bolivia, as well as in the associated countries that belong to the
were evaluated, new cooperation platform created in the first phase of said program, were also evaluated.
actions to be carried
out were identified, The workshop agenda considered two dimensions: the national one and the regional
mainly those one. The 2010-2011 Annual Operative Plans, the progress of the activities carried
regarding training and out in 2009-2010, and the general view of the Programs´ implementation were
promoting presented in both dimensions.
competition”, asserted
Jose Enrique In the case of El Salvador, after evaluating the CS´s work in the development of
COMPALL with respect to competition matters, the 2010-2011 Annual Operative
Argumedo,
Plan was approved. In the aforementioned plan, the CS has programmed to carry
Competition out training events for the Judicial Branch and the Public Procurement Offices
Superintendent. around the country, as well the conclusion of the study on the competition conditions
on the iron sector and the implementation of the first Superior Studies Course on
Competition Law in El Salvador.
At the international level, the following activities were considered priorities to be carried out with respect to
competition:
a) Evaluation of the case investigation techniques;
b) Study of transboundary anticompetitive practices; and,
c) Study of relevant markets in Latin American economies..
The UNCTAD´s Competition and Protection Authority Chief, Mr. Hassan Qaqaya, representatives of various United
Nations agencies, the Government of Switzerland, and the Government of Spain, as donors, together with the
Competition and Consumer Protection Authorities of the twelve Latin American countries who receive assistance
from COMPAL II participated in the evaluation meeting which took place from April 14th to the 16th.
The support to the Government of El Salvador (hereinafter GOES), through the COMPAL II Program shall last four
years. The contribution assigned to the GOES totalizes US$345,938.00. Said contribution shall be distributed

2. equally between the two institutions in this agreement, that is, between the CS and the Consumer Protection
Authority (CPA).
Background
Year Activity
August 2005 The first phase of the COMPAL Program began.
December 2008 The first phase of the COMPAL Program finalized.
March 17th, 2009 The UNCTAD and the Swiss Government launched the second phase of the
COMPAL Program.
May 22nd, 2009 The UNCTAD, the Swiss Government, and GOES formalized COMPAL II technical
assistance for the CS and the CPA, through the subscription of the broad
agreement.
May 26th, 2009 The CS, the UNCTAD, and the Swiss Government signed a Memorandum of
Understanding.
July 24th, 2009 The CPA, the UNCTAD, and the Swiss Government signed a Memorandum of
Understanding.
April 14th to the 16th, 2010 COMPAL Program annual monitoring meeting.