by MariatouNgum
The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, has affirmed that early realisation of the importance of competition promotion can enforce economic development and enhance consumer welfare.
Minister Joof made this remark at The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority Biennial Conference of the African Competition Forum at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
The forum, which is the biggest competitive event in Africa, was centered on the theme, “fostering competition for inclusive growth and sustainability in Africa”.
Minister Joof informed the forum that The Gambia Government became one of the first countries in the ECOWAS region to establish an independent Competition Commission.
According to him, the Gambia Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) became a model for many African countries within the region in setting up competition regimes. He noted that competition promotion and enforcement is part of the top priorities of The Gambia Government, as it is now mainstreamed in Government policies and programmes.
Hon. Joof described the conference as very important as it exposes all countries to best practices and provides guidance in implementing effective and efficient competition regimes.
“I hope that the recommendations from this conference will be used as a yardstick for the effective implementation of competition and consumer protection policies across African countries,” he stated.
He reiterated that the Government of The Gambia is committed now more than ever to supporting the implementation of sound competition and consumer protection policies.
“We will continue to provide the necessary human, financial and technical resources required for the GCCPC to effectively enforce its mandate.
In conclusion, he reiterated that the government will continue to provide all the support required by the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), as the host country.
