ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has conducted a detailed study to assess competition issues in the road construction sector of the country, and invited public comments over it to make it more inclusive.

The study — which has been initiated mainly in wake of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects — has been uploaded on the CCP’s website soliciting public comments.

The study, ‘Competition Assessment of the Road Construction Sector in Pakistan’ was done under the CCP’s mandate to carry out market studies to assess competition vulnerabilities and to promote competition in all spheres of commercial economic activity.

The study examines the road construction sector from competition standpoint and discusses the role of different stakeholders including private firms, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and implementing agencies.

It also analyses the regulatory framework to determine whether entry barriers are keeping local or new players out of this crucial sector.

Based on the assessment, the study offers recommendations to remove competition distortions in the sector, improve transparency in the bidding process, and create a level playing field for all market players.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2018