Abstract This paper examines the objectives of competition policy and revisits the traditional focus on consumer welfare in light of broader economic considerations, arguing that competition policy can be understood as part of a wider framework that contributes to productivity growth, innovation, and economic development; it proposes an analytical approach in which competition policy and industrial policy coexist and interact, highlighting the conditions under which they may be complementary. Drawing on theoretical and empirical contributions, the analysis discusses how market concentration, limited competition, and institutional constraints may affect productivity and innovation, and considers the role of policy coordination alongside the use of both ex-ante and ex-post assessments. Finally, it outlines a set of policy considerations for competition authorities aimed at strengthening coherence with broader development strategies while preserving their institutional role, emphasizing the importance of facilitating long-term economic development.
Andrea Marván Saltiel (Fri,) studied this question.