Capacity building for stakeholders in competition law and policy took place in partnership with COMESA. A sensitization workshop on competition law and policy was recently organized by the Competition Council, in partnership with the COMESA Competition Commission, over three consecutive days. Representatives from ministries concerned with competition law, the private sector, and civil society organizations working to protect consumer rights participated actively. It was an opportunity for all stakeholders to share best practices in competition law and policy as well as consumer protection, while strengthening their capacities for fair implementation of national legislation. "This initiative is part of the State's general policy aimed at establishing healthy and free competition to stimulate investments and guarantee consumer protection against unjustified price increases for products, especially essential goods sold on markets, while strengthening quality control," said Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Haingotiana Andriamadison during the opening of this sensitization workshop, which aims to support stakeholders toward fair application of competition law.
Technical Support
Capacity building for workshop participants focused notably on fundamental principles of competition law and policy, as well as consumer protection mechanisms. Within the framework of cooperation between Madagascar and COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), experts from the Competition Commission of this regional economic community came to the country to provide technical support. Experience exchanges with participants during the roundtable organized during this sensitization and training workshop on competition law and policy also took place, while examining challenges related to implementing competition and consumer protection policies. Following the workshop, recommendations were issued by stakeholders to strengthen institutional cooperation and harmonize national legislation with regional standards.
Harmonizing Rules
Steven Kamukama, director of Consumer Welfare and Protection at the COMESA Competition Commission, recalled that Madagascar signed a protocol agreement with the regional community through the Competition Council. This agreement aims to harmonize national competition rules with regional standards and formalize mechanisms for sharing information and data, especially during investigations into anticompetitive practices among member states in the region. It also clarifies the division of responsibilities between each institution in controlling mergers and acquisitions, as well as concentration operations at cross-border and national levels. Regarding competition law, "it is governed by the competition law that has already been voted on. Its implementing decree will soon be submitted to Parliament for adoption," emphasized the minister.
Competition Culture
This sensitization aims notably to instill in all stakeholders a culture of competition, with the goal of protecting consumers and attracting investments through establishing a transparent business climate. Eradicating unfair practices such as illegal cartels and abuse of dominant position, as well as supporting the private sector by offering equal treatment under the law, are also essential. The Competition Council is the independent administrative authority responsible for enforcing these competition rules.