Global Courant 2023-05-07 20:12:49
The Government of Malawi has offered free land to the COMESA Competition Commission as a thank you to the Commission for the support it has given to their government over the past 10 years during its existence in Malawi.
According to Simplex Chithyola, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Malawi, it is their wish and hope that the COMESA Competition Commission will find a permanent home in Malawi as it builds its headquarters.
“I recognize that the COMESA Member States, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the COMESA Convention, recognized the risks that the regional integration agenda could face as a result of anti-competitive practices in the common market.
“Therefore, Member States, including Malawi, have committed that “…any practice that defeats the objective of free and liberalized trade will be prohibited.
“Furthermore, Member States agreed “…to prohibit any agreement between undertakings or concerted practices which has as its object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the common market…”, Chithyola said during the COMESA Competition Commission 10 Year Anniversary Celebrations in Lilongwe Malawi.
The COMESA Competition Commission is one of the regional bodies established under Article 55 of the COMESA Convention. It was established under Article 6 of the COMESA competition rules promulgated in accordance with Article 55 of the Treaty establishing the common market.
The competition regulations aim to bring about the integration of the internal market, which mandates the Commission to enforce the provisions of the regulations relating to trade between Member States.
It also promotes competition within the common market by monitoring and investigating anti-competitive practices by companies within the common market and by mediating disputes between member states about anti-competitive behaviour.
Chithyola said his country believes anti-competitive practices can hinder the growth and development of small businesses that are prominent in the common market.
“As a founding member of COMESA, it is fully committed to promoting competition in our markets by prohibiting agreements, regulations or practices that prevent, restrict or distort competition in the common market.
“Our position on this issue is also reflected in the fact that we have a fully operational and effective national competition authority, the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission, which has a positive track record of regulating competition and consumer protection in Malawi . added Chithyola.
Chithyola praised the COMESA Competition Commission’s performance in regulating competition, particularly mergers, restrictive trade practices and consumer protection, as having been unquestionably outstanding and deserving of recognition.
By regulating competition, Chithyola stressed that the Commission ensures that the harmful effects of monopolies and cartels are averted.
“The Commission’s work is central to ensuring that the trade liberalization agenda in the COMESA region promotes growth in Member States and leads to poverty reduction.
“I would encourage the COMESA Competition Commission to continue its efforts to regulate competition in our markets.
“I would also instruct the COMESA Competition Commission and Malawi’s Competition and FairTrading Commission to ensure that the regulation of markets and consumer protection benefits ordinary citizens in the Common Market.
“I pledge continued support from my government to ensure this continued effective operation,” Chithyola said.
BY PAUL TENTENA
