The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has implored all businesses in Zambia to desist from engaging in conducts that negatively impact on competition in various sectors of the economy.
CCPC public relations offer Handford Chaba said the commission has noted with great concern that some businesses are still perpetrating anti-competitive which do not which distorts competition and erodes consumer welfare.
Mr Chaba said the commission wants to ensure that a competitive culture is inculcated in all market players hence the need for the business community to cooperate in adhering to competition laws.
“We have noted with great concern some of the conducts happening in various markets where businesses still perpetrate vices that are anti-competitive such as refusal to supply, sharing and foreclosure of markets, which do not only distort competition on the market but ultimately erodes consumer welfare.
CCPC is committed to ensuring that a competitive culture is inculcated in all market players in various sectors of the economy, and it is also imperative that the business community helps by adhering to tents of competition law.
“This is because a competitive market brings about innovation through research and development, lower prices for consumers, creates efficiency in service delivery and also gives an opportunity to consumers to choose from a wide range of goods and services.
“Competition is a critical driver of performance and innovation. It benefits everyone by enabling us to choose from an array of excellent products at affordable prices. Competition also encourages the adoption of innovation as companies evolve and new ideas flourish in the marketplace.
As a matter of fact, in modern economic development, promoting competition is broadly accepted as the best available tool for promoting consumer well-being,” he said.
He explained that the commission’s goal is to have competitive market environment across economic sectors which will not only benefit traders but also consumers and the economy at large.
“This is the more reason why the CCPC has always been against market tendencies that have a likely effect of distorting, eliminating, reducing or restricting competition on the market such as restrictive business practices, abuse of dominance position, cartel conduct among others.
“In so doing, our ultimate desire or goal is to have competitive market environment across economic sectors which will not only benefit traders but also consumers and the economy at large.
We therefore, want to appeal to the both members of the public and the business players across the country to look out for such vices and report them to the Commission,” he said.
