NaCC launches National Competition Policy

The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) launched Namibia’s first National Competition Policy in Windhoek last week.Speaking during the launch, held during the commemoration of World Competition Day, the executive director (ED) of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, Sikongo Haihambo stated that Namibia did not have a national competition policy before adopting its competition laws.“This was quite an anomaly which we are correcting with the launch of this policy. Our law was not informed by a set of policy objectives and this policy vacuum did not help much, especially when the law was found to be limited and hence amendments had to be made.It is in light of the above that government took a principled decision to first adopt a national policy which will guide further development of our law guided by our national developmental imperatives,” Haihambo said.He explained that a competition policy is needed as it entails applying rules to make sure businesses and companies compete fairly with each other.“This encourages enterprise development and efficiency, thereby creating a wider choice for consumers and helps reduce prices and improve quality,” Haihambo said.He noted that the policy amongst others emphasises the need to protect micro, small and medium-sized firms and recognises the existence of State-Owned Enterprises in Namibia’s economy and that they, too, must compete with the private sector.“No preferential treatment must be allowed,” Haihambo stated.InclusivityThe ED further called on the NaCC to find innovative solutions to ensure an inclusive economy were all citizens have an equal chance to participate in the economy.“The NaCC must therefore devise innovative interventions to ensure that the market competitiveness parameter is improved, as improved competitive rankings contribute directly to increased investment in the economy. We must all work together to ensure that we create an enabling investment climate and position Namibia as an attractive investment destination,” he said.The key principles of the policy include supporting and enhancing national legislation through appropriate provisions for enhanced enforcement, developmental merger control, market inquiries and price monitoring.It also includes reviewing of legislation, policies and regulations that restrict competition in the Namibian economy, implementation of competitive neutrality to government business.Furthermore, developing coordinating mechanisms to ensure efficient and optimal cooperation between sector regulators and the competition commission and ensuring third party access to significant infrastructure are also some of the key principles. - Nampa

NaCC launches National Competition Policy

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