COMPAL (Competition and Consumer Protection Policies for Latin America) is a comprehensive and client-oriented programme. A number of activities were implemented in 2006 for all beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Peru).

In 2006, COMPAL results included:

• sectoral in-depth studies aimed at assessing the conditions of competition in key markets within Bolivia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Peru;
• assistance to the adoption of the competition law in Nicaragua;
• preparation of law reforms as well as competition and consumer protection guidelines in Costa Rica;
• academic programmes jointly with local universities in Nicaragua and Costa Rica;
• an internship programme with COMCO: study tours for Nicaragua;
• advocacy seminars on competition and consumer protection workshops for El Salvador, and
• the design of a decentralized system of consumer protection at national level in Peru.