Competition Authority must have sting - minister

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Friday January 27, 2012 00:00

 

Speaking at the official launch of the body in Gaborone yesterday, the minister said the Competition Authority must tackle issues militating against sound economic growth without flinching, adding that it should have an impact on the ground, instead of being seen to be producing research reports and issuing statements.

'Botswana is reckoned to be one of the least corrupt countries in Africa.  In this regard, the authority needs to develop a strong code of conduct for its staff in order to uphold this viewpoint,' she said.

The minister said even though there is a lot of talk about political interference, there should also not be business interference through corruption.

Makgato-Malesu said general expectations are that government should take the lead in the primary promotion of the competition guiding principles.

'They must ensure that they are facilitators of fair competition and should not be seen as unduly frustrating entry, growth and development of businesses in any sector of the economy, not unless there are overriding strategic national interests as recognised in the competition policy itself,' she said.

The minister said a business-to-business dispute resolution system under the Competition Authority will play a role in enhancing the attractiveness of the Botswana economy for foreign direct investment (FDI) by providing a transparent, predictable and internationally acceptable process under the Competition Act.

'In this regard, the government remains committed to ensuring that it respects the independence of the competition authority and its decisions, which in any case are appealable to the judiciary and not the political leadership,' Makgato-Malesu said.The minister also encouraged the competition body to forge linkages with other statutory bodies.

She also encouraged the Competition Authority to educate the business community to help it better understand the competition law and its dispute resolution mechanisms.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thula Kaira said as the Competition Authority, they remain open to be advised and criticised as they set off on their mandate.

'We have committed ourselves to be transparent, professional and operate with the requisite integrity expected of a public service institution.

We promise you all to produce results and not reports only,' he said.

The Competition Authority was set up by an Act of Parliament to ensure fair competition in the economy.

It sets out to fulfil this mandate by preventing any anti-competition conduct, removing anything that hinders free competition in the market as well as investigating and resolving all complaints of unfair business practices in the market, among others.  It has been operating for the last eight months.