News

CCC Launches Investigation Into CWC’s Agreement To Acquire Columbus International Pursuant To Article 175 (6) Of The RTC

27 May 2016

CCC launches investigation into CWC’s Agreement to Acquire Columbus International Pursuant to Article 175 (6) of the RTC  

The CARICOM Competition Commission (“the Commission”) advises the public of the launch of an investigation into the agreement by Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (“CWC”) to acquire Columbus International Inc. (“Columbus”) pursuant to Article 175 (6) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).

 For the full statement pleas click here

CARICOM Competition Commission Quarterly Report January – March 2016

May 06, 2016

CARICOM Competition Commission  Quarterly Report  January – March 2016

This report highlights the work of the CARICOM Competition Commission (Commission) for the first quarter of 2016, in the areas of competition law and policy, and consumer welfare and protection of consumer interests in the CARICOM region. The work of the Commission is guided by the institution’s mandate under Chapter VIII of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). Consequently, the document is structured to highlight the relevant provisions within the RTC under which each activity falls.

For the full report please click here.

World Consumer Rights Day 2016 Activities

Each year on March 15^th, we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD). WCRD provides an opportunity for national and regional consumer organisations to draw attention to the important role that consumer protection policies and laws play in making societies safer and fairer. There is a greater awareness and demand by consumers for their rights to be respected and protected. In the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) sets the minimum standards for consumer protection which Member States are expected to provide to their citizens under Articles 184 and 185 of the RTC. 

This year the theme for WCRD is “Antibiotics off the menu”. According to Consumers International (CI) antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health facing consumers today. If urgent action is not taken to tackle antibiotic resistance consumers could face a future where common infections and minor injuries can lead to death. CI is calling for global time bound commitments to end the routine use of antibiotics in human medicine, across all meat and poultry supply chains. In CARICOM, agencies with consumer protection mandates such as the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) and the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) support consumer agencies and NGOs in warning of the dangers of antibiotic resistance to our health, and its impact on our food security as a region.

For the  list of activities in some of the Member States, please click here.

Joint Statement CCC & CAHFSA on WCRD 2016

                 JOINT STATEMENT BY THE CCC AND CAHFSA FOR WCRD 2016

                                           ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE!


For WCRD 2016, the international consumer protection community is once again tackling the issue of consumer health and diets. The focus in 2015, was on encouraging consumers to make smarter decisions on the foods they eat, while calling on food producers to reduce the level of salt, sugar and fat found in processed foods.

For the full statement please click here.

CARICOM Competition Commission Quarterly Report October-December 2015

February 24, 2016

This report highlights the work of the CARICOM Competition Commission (Commission) for the fourth quarter of 2015, in the areas of competition law and policy, and consumer welfare and protection in the CARICOM region. The work of the Commission is guided by the institution’s mandate under Chapter VIII of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). Consequently, the document is structured to highlight the relevant provisions within the RTC under which each activity falls.

For the full report please click here.

CCC hosts consumer meeting with Ministry of Trade and Industry and Consumentenkring

February 23, 2016

CARICOM Competition Commission hosts consumer meeting with Ministry of Trade and Industry and Consumentenkring

  
Suriname- On February 18, 2016 the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) hosted a meeting between the Ministry Of Trade and Industry, Consumer Affairs and the Consumentenkring (a Non Governmental Consumer organisation  in Suriname), and the CCC.

The purpose of this meeting was to further establish and enhance the working relationship between national government consumer agencies, national consumer NGOs and the CCC  as outlined Article 173.1 (f) to “provide support to the Members States in promoting and protecting consumer welfare” as set out in Chapter 8 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

During the meeting Consumentenkring outlined its concerns in respect of; the increases in the price of utilities; the devaluation of the Surinamese dollar and its impact on consumers; quality of goods and services; intellectual property rights; and the price controls enforced by the Ministry.

The Ministry advised that the price control mechanism is in place and that the prices are being monitored. The Ministry is also planning extensive programmes to educate consumers in Suriname and create awareness about the relation between the price and quality of goods and services. The Ministry took the opportunity to invite the Consumentenkring to partner with them in the awareness programmes. The Ministry advised that issues of the exchange rate are not their responsibility and has to be dealt with by officials in other ministries.

The parties also discussed briefly the arrangements for World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2016. Consultations on activities for WCRD 2016 are expected to continue in the lead up to 15 March 2016 when WCRD will be celebrated worldwide. The theme for WCRD 2016 is “antibiotic resistance”.

At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties agreed that further cooperation is needed to ensure the well being of the consumers in Suriname. The next meeting is planned for the first week of March 2016.

Please see below for more information on the institutions identified in this article
Consumentenkring: Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone (597) 499 122.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Suriname: telephone (597) 402 080, extension 1053.

CARICOM Competition Commission
Hendrikstraat # 69,
Paramaribo, Suriname
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone #: (597) 491 455; 491 439
Fax #: (597) 530 639
Website www.caricomcompetitioncommission.com

CCC Launches Online Questionnaire on Consumer Demand and Preferences for Beer in the CSME

In fulfillment of Article 169 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) on 23 December 2015 launched a consumer survey to help it gain a better understanding of consumer demand and preferences for beer sold in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The survey will assist the CCC to identify, among other things, the factors that determine consumer choice for the main beer they drink and how consumers in the region react to increases in beer prices.

If you are a resident of the CSME (i.e. live and pay taxes or are a Senior Official in a member state for 6 months or longer) you can take part in our survey by clicking on http://goo.gl/forms/wyDB9LtRXF

or https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCCbeersurvey

In addition, we kindly ask that you forward the link to the online questionnaire to the contacts in your email lists to help us capture as many responses as possible. We would also appreciate it if you can kindly ask those contacts to forward the link to their email contacts requesting they do the same.

The Survey will close on 29 February 2016.

This initiative of the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) as an institution of the Community supports the achievement of the goal of Community Competition by pursuing the following objectives under Article 169.2 (a) and (c) of the RTC:

(a)    The promotion and maintenance of competition and enhancement of economic efficiency in production, trade and commerce;

And

(c)    The promotion of consumer welfare and protection of consumer interests.

CCC Statement:The Importance Of Competition During Economic Recession

Wednesday 13 January, 2015

During 2015, the effects of the 2008 financial crisis continued to impact negatively on the economic and social welfare of the CARICOM Member States and their citizens.

Unfortunately, another difficult year is ahead of us with many economic challenges anticipated both within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and extra-regionally.

For the full statement please click here.

New Indian Ambassador To Suriname Pays Courtesy Visit To The CCC

Wednesday 13, January 2016

On Friday 8 January 2016, the newly appointed Ambassador of India to Suriname paid a courtesy visit to the CARICOM Competition Commission.

His Excellency Mr. Satendar Kumar was greeted by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Kusha Haraksingh, and the professional staff.

Christmas Consumer Tips 2015

Dear Consumers,

Christmas is upon us once again.  It is the time of glad tidings and cheer but it is also the season to be especially vigilant.  Consumers are encouraged to not only be wise but to be safe.  Consumer Affairs Agencies in the CSME have come together to compile a few tips to assist you during the holidays. Please click here for the complete list.