CCP striving to rectify anti-competitive behaviour

Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has taken action against 298 undertakings for cartelization and prohibited agreements so far to ensure protection for consumers. The Commission is striving to create awareness for a culture of compliance to rectify anti-competitive behaviour as in this process, it has achieved various successes through compliances and commitments.
An official at CCP on Sunday highlighted the pre-emptive measures taken against cartelization and said in discharge of its statutory role under Section 29, it has issued 11 policy notes so far regarding any policy or law, which is in conflict with the Act.
The Commission has also launched Reward Payment to informants' scheme while advocacy booklet under the title "Information Booklet on Protection from Anti-competitive Practices" was printed and disseminated.
Moreover, he said CCP also developed a research capacity and published researched publications in order to study the state of competition in sectors and act accordingly.
An online complaint cell was established for facilitation of general public. He said CCP has build a coalition of support by reaching out aggressively to the media, consumer associations, professional bodies, chambers of commerce, sectoral business associations.
The official said as a part of advocacy initiative for creating awareness amongst the consumers for their rights.
Enumerating the other measures adopted during last three years against cartelization, the official said 14 orders were issued, out of which two orders were issued by the Appellate Bench, four orders related to prohibited agreements (Cartelization), five related to abuse of dominant position and three were about deceptive marketing practices.
He said three policy notes were issued regarding Demutualization and Integration of Stock Exchanges in Pakistan, amendment in Bilateral Air Services Agreement of 1972 and price fixing agreement between All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association and Ministry of Industries and Production.
He said in addition, an opinion on exemption of regulatory duty on import of ware potatoes by international fast food chains franchises was also issued while six inquiries, covering a wide range of commercial/economic activity were conducted where in violations of the Act have been pointed out.
Similarly, in 2010-11, 19 orders were issued, two Policy Notes were issued, 52 show-cause notices were issued to companies, trade associations as well as individuals for violation of the Act.
He said in total CCP has conducted 23 hearing in various matters including the abuse of dominant position, prohibited agreements (cartelization), deceptive marketing practices and approval of mergers.
Around 85 Mergers and Acquisitions in total were cleared and 56 exemption certificates in total in respect of prohibited agreements were granted.
In 2011-12, ten Orders were issued, three policy notes were issued, 110 show-cause notices in total were issued, 28 hearings were conducted and nine inquiry reports were conducted four search & inspections were conducted.
He said CCP has achieved the results due to its enforcement actions causing direct impact on general public and added as part of due process, various actions taken and penalty imposed have been challenged before the Courts and are pending adjudication.