Trade associations play valuable, fundamental roles as forums for the discussion and exchange of views on important issues of common interest for the industry sector which they represent. Many trade associations activities should be supported and encouraged, because they promote the efficient functioning of the market. The OECD Competition Committee debated trade associations in October 2007. This document includes an executive summary and the documents from the meeting: an analytical note by Mr. Antonio Capobianco for the OECD, written submissions from Canada, Chinese Taipei, the Czech Republic, the European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and BIAC as well as an aide-memoire of the discussion.