Consultation on competition law and policy within the CSME

Roseau, Dominica – July 25, 2007…… The issue of Fair Competition in the CSME will be addressed during a two-day consultation on “Competition Law and Policy in the CSME” in Dominica on Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27, 2007 at the Public Service Training Centre, from 9:00 am – 4:00pm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat and the OECS Secretariat will spearhead this activity.

The consultation will be conducted through sectoral group discussions. These discussions are crucial as CARICOM Member States prepare themselves to meet their obligations under Chapter Eight (8) of the CARICOM Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Member States are obligated to put in place appropriate institutional and legal arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the rules of competition.

Additionally, the consultation will also provide the opportunity for participants to learn about the plans of the CSME Unit/CARICOM for the inauguration of the Community Competition Commission which will be located in Suriname in October 2007.

A focus group session, which consists of public and private stakeholders, is planned to provide participants with the opportunity to dialogue with presenters on a Draft Agreement to establish the Eastern Caribbean Fair Trading Commission and the Draft Fair Trading Competition Bill for the OECS.

The team of officials will make a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour, Hon. Charles Savarin on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 8:30 am after which the private sector, state agencies/regulators, bar association and civil society will be consulted. Radio and TV programmes will also be conducted in order to dialogue with the entire population.