This volume reports the proceedings of a conference of highly qualified
practitioners and theorists from East and West, dealing with competition
and the important part it plays as an essential element of the market
economic system. So far, in the countries of Central and East Europe and
of the former USSR, privatisation of state enterprises has failed to
bring about a more responsive, more competitive behaviour of these
firms. It is recognised that various elements of competition -
privatisation, breaking down of monopolies, trade liberalisation,
strengthening of small- and medium-sized competitors; and institutional
requirements - should be implemented simultaneously.