Les progrès de la Turquie en matière de réforme réglementaire et d’harmonisation des marchés avec l’acquis communautaire sont lents et inégaux mais ne sont pas trop décevants dans l’ensemble, d’après une analyse de novembre 2007 publiée par le Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) et le Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
The EDAM/CEPS study focuses on progress in the fields of telecommunications, energy and transport, all seen as crucial for the performance of the whole economy.
The reforms undertaken by Turkey aim to make markets function better in terms of ensuring competition and productivity growth, namely by addressing privatisation, prices and business practices, opening up markets, and liberalising restrictions on entry.
The regulation of competition, where Turkey has made « significant progress » in recent years, is an « intrinsic part » of the overall regulatory approach, says the analysis.
The country has moved towards regulatory reform targeting a « gradual shift from coercive use of public policy instruments such as strict regulation or the public ownership of enterprises to a greater reliance on market mechanisms » as well as private investment, the paper acknowledges.
But insufficient implementation of the new measures and the lack of effective competition are hindering further development, according to the paper. Problems remain in three main areas: The relationship between the competition authority and other regulatory bodies, state aids and judicial review.
Regarding the first point, improvements are needed in terms of clarity, transparency and accountability, while the creation of a « chief economist » could help to increase the technical capacities of the independent regulatory authorities, say the authors.
The absence of state aid legislation in Turkey acts as a « serious barrier » to the development of competition in infrastructure industries, the paper says, as such legislation is « necessary to ensure that state actions do not have anti-competitive effects ».
Turkish policymakers have been « unable to overcome the institutional reticence » to adopt state-aid monitoring legislation, criticise the authors, adding that the Turkish sectoral legislation still contains a number of barriers to foreign investment, particularly in the fields of energy, air and maritime transport.
Regarding telecommunications, the analysis particularly highlights Turkey’s deficit in broadband take-up, the high level of services prices as well as taxation and the length of time it takes the respective authorities to enforce interventions and make them operational.
With the exception of air transport, liberalisation efforts have been slow in the electricity and gas industries and the transport sector in general, according to the paper.
The authors conclude by arguing that reform in infrastructure industries can improve welfare only « if it is guided by a clearly articulated strategy and strong political ownership ». However, they believes that ownership is not sufficient and insist that reform policy needs a proper implementation strategy.