The Financial Times in cooperation with the Institute for Politics and Society organizes Business Regulation Prague Forum - Better Regulation for Innovation and Growth.

Modern economies need sound regulatory frameworks that are conducive to development, innovation, investment and economic growth.  In the past few years, governments and policy makers around the world have concentrated their efforts on delivering “better regulation” – coherent, proportionate rules that are well-targeted and fit for purpose. In this process, they have aimed at reducing regulatory burden and opening up policy and regulation to make it more transparent, evidence-based and backed up by the perspectives of citizens and stakeholders.How does this look in practice and what is the state of play of the Better Regulation Agenda? What is working on consultations, regulatory oversight, impact assessments and how can more agile, open and responsive regulatory systems be achieved? What are the best practices in engaging with stakeholders in the regulatory policy cycle? What is the impact of this engagement on compliance with regulations and better regulatory quality? How best to ensure that regulatory approaches are in line with an innovative economy and what are key instruments being proposed to support innovation in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment? How can regulation be better reconciled with entrepreneurial freedom and consumer choice?The fifth edition of the FT Business Regulation Forum - in partnership with JTI - will gather regulators, policy makers, academics and senior industry leaders in Prague to discuss the role, principles and impact of “better regulation”. They will reflect on the EU experience, review international best practices and debate on the importance of “better regulation” for the business community. Focus will be placed on the creation of regulatory environments that are fit for innovation and can adapt to the future.

Program:

08:00-09:00
Registration and Breakfast

09:00-09:05
Chair´s Opening Remarks

Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times


09:05-09:30
Keynote Address and Interview

Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister, Government of the Czech Republic

Moderated by Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times


09:30-10:45

Panel Discussion: Engaging Effectively with Stakeholders

Pre-panel Keyonote Address

Karel Havlíček, Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

This high-level discussion will bring together senior policy makers, regulators and business leaders to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities for multi-stakeholder collaboration in the design and implementation of regulation. They will share best practices, take stock of what is working and look at future improvements.

When, why and how to consult? How can all stakeholders be effectively involved? What are the best tools and methods of engagement that ensure business’ views are effectively taken into account? How can regulation become a mechanism for industry-wide cooperation on issues ranging from consumer protection to tech innovation and the protection of the environment? In which ways can standards, self-regulation and other voluntary agreements be used to achieve public policy objectives? How to strike the right balance between freedom and consumer protection?

Karel Havlíček, Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

Alexander Kryvosheyev, Vice-President for Corporate Development Eastern Europe Region, JTI

Paul Kelly, Director, Food Drink Ireland – Ibec

Leena Linnainmaa, Secretary General, Directors’ Institute Finland

Moderated by Claire Jones, Global Economic Reporter, Financial Times Alphaville


10:45-11:00
Networking Break

11:00-11:25

On-Stage Interview

Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, European Commission

Moderated by Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times


11:25-12:40

Panel Discussion: Management and Impact of Regulation – Approaches, Instruments and Best Practices

Pre-panel Special Presentation

Veronica Gaffey, Chair,  Regulatory Scrutiny Board of the European Commission

This panel will delve into the different approaches that have emerged in recent years to improve the quality of regulatory decision-making.

What international best practices have been implemented in areas like transparency and open government, quantification of regulatory costs, Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and ex post evaluation? What approaches to RIA are working and what further improvements can be achieved in the quality and use of impact assessments and evaluations? How are behavioural insights being used to improve government policies and practices? Have these modi operandi been successful in balancing freedom and responsibility and addressing potential unintended consequences of regulations?

Eric Brousseau, Professor of Economics and Management; Scientific Director of the Chair Governance and Regulation, University Paris-Dauphine

Veronica Gaffey, Chair,  Regulatory Scrutiny Board of the European Commission

Rakhim OshakbayevDirector, Center for Applied Research TALAP

Daniel Trnka, Senior Policy Analyst at Regulatory Divison, OECD

Tom Vöge, Head of EU Affairs, ICC EU

Moderated by Claire Jones, Global Economic Reporter, Financial Times Alphaville


12:40-13:40
Networking Lunch

13:40-14:40

Panel Discussion: Interplay of Innovation and regulation – Getting It Right

With the Fourth Industrial Regulation well under way, a wave of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, distributed ledger technology and Internet of Things (IoT) are disrupting business models, creating new industries and transforming the ways things are made. The rate of innovation frequently exceeds the speed at which regulatory systems can respond.

In the wake of these developments, how can regulatory frameworks adapt to the pace of change of new technologies and new forms of innovation? What outcome-focused, flexible and agile regulatory systems and tools are emerging with the aim of enabling innovation while protecting citizens and the environment and ensure fair markets?

Ryan Bourne, Chair of the Public Understanding of Economics, Cato Institute

Vladimír Dzurilla, Chief Digital Officer, Government of the Czech Republic

Mark Boris Andrijanič, Head of Public Policy – Central & Eastern Europe, Uber

Gabrielle Inzirillo, Director, FintechPlug and Play Tech Center

Moderated by Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times


14:40-15:40

Closing Keynote Dialogue – Taxation and Business Regulation

When implementing and managing taxes policy makers must ensure the right balance between the interests of the governments, consumers, businesses and society in general.

What is a right level of taxation of goods, especially those known for their inelasticity of demand? What are the trends and future of excise taxes? What are the consequences of excessive taxation?

Lenka Dupáková, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic

Arman Poghosyan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia

Ivan Mikloš, President, MESA10

John O´Connell, President and Chairman, World Taxpayers Associations

Moderated by Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society


15:40-15:45

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times


15:45

Networking Reception


Business Regulation Prague Forum will be held on 31st October 2019 at Four Seasons Hotel, Veleslavínova 2A/1098, Prague. 

FOR REGISTRATION PLEASE USE  THIS LINK.