‘Project 7Up3’ signed for Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Eastern and Southern Africa
An agreement was signed between Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Cuts (Consumer Unity And Trust Society) International in Jaipur to consolidate a project on strengthening competition regimes in seven countries of eastern and southern Africa. The first stage of the project had been successfully implemented by CUTS, and an independent evaluation had recommended NORAD to support activities of the second stage of this project.
Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, Hon’ble President of the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) along with the delegation of seven parliamentarians, were witness to the signing of the agreement. The delegation was visiting CUTS and had a discussion with CUTS researchers and staff, taking stock of the organisation's work on international trade and competition policy and law activities in various parts of the developing world.
The stage is set for CUTS to implement project activities in the seven project countries – Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Uganda. The project entitled, `Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Select Countries of Eastern and Southern Africa' (also referred to as the 7Up3 project) is consistent with the `Trilateral Development Cooperation' (TDC) approach operationalised by CUTS in its work on international development projects especially on issues like – international trade and competition policy and law. The TDC approach envisages provision of technical assistance by a southern provider to a southern recipient, with support from a northern donor.
HE Jon Westborg. Norway’s Ambassador to India, signed the contract on behalf of NORAD, while Mr. Pradeep Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International signed on behalf of CUTS.