The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) of Zambia says cross border collaboration among competition authorities promotes better knowledge and creates a platform to tackle anti-competitive issues and consequently benefits consumers.
Speaking on Monday 21st October in Lusaka, at the start of a one-week study tour by officials from Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), CCPC Executive Director, Brian Lingela said cross-border collaborations between national competition authorities can enhance knowledge sharing, promote best practices, and foster a deeper understanding of different regulatory environments.
“They facilitate networking, allowing officials to build relationships that can aid in tackling cross-border antitrust issues more effectively. Additionally, these collaborations can lead to more harmonized regulations, ultimately benefiting consumers and businesses by creating a fairer competitive landscape,” said Lingela.
On his part, CFTC Chief Economist, Augustine Nyirenda who leads the delegation said the collaborations can significantly enhance the effectiveness of competition policy enforcement on a global scale by fostering a competitive environment across borders.
“Collaborative efforts can lead to joint investigations or actions against multinational companies engaging in anti-competitive behavior. Insights gained can also inform the development of more effective competition policies tailored to specific market conditions,” said Nyirenda.
In September this year, CFTC won a global award for its work in consumer protection, especially through cross border cooperation with other national and regional enforcement agencies.
CFTC with assistance from GIZ through the Support Programme to the African Continental Free Trade Area is visiting CCPC of Zambia on a study tour.