10 more economic sectors: CCP to conduct study, says Mirza

RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI (January 13 2010): The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) will continue to play its role in promoting competition in all commercial and economic activities in order to enhance economic proficiency and protect consumers from anti-competitive behaviour.

Competition Commission Chairman Khalid Mirza said this while speaking at the concluding session of the two-day National Conference on "Competition Regime in Pakistan," here on Tuesday. He said the commission has completed studies on four important sectors of the economy ie sugar, energy, banking and automobile industry. On the banking sector, the commission's study report has been published while the other three would be published soon, he added.

He said the commission would conduct study on over 10 other sectors. Khalid Mirza said competition related issues were discussed in the conference in addition to debating the multinational scope of competition laws. The law further requires positive steps to create awareness of competition issues and a culture of competition through advocacy and persuasion. Talking to media at the closing session, the CCP chairman said the fixation and control of the prices is not the responsibility of the commission. "We take action on any irregularity in any sector on any complain," he said.

It is the commission's policy to adopt enlightened and progressive approach and we are supporter of trade. "We facilitate and assist the trade and resolve their problems," he added. The commission aimed to provide level playing field to all market participants in all sectors of the economy and to curb cartels and anti competitive practices.

He said the conference was inaugurated by renowned social personality Abdul Sattar Edhi. The integrity and services were the two important qualities for which his name was suggested to inaugurate this first two-day national conference, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Abdul Majeed Haji Muhammad appreciated the CCP services to curb cartels and anti-competitive practices in the country.