By
Chilufya Sampa
Director Mergers and Monopolies
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Reforms are easier said than done
Zambian economy was liberalised in 1991 and
competition law passed 1994
Law had weaknesses 2006 process to amend
began
It has taken four years for the Competition and
Consumer Protection Bill to be tabled before
Parliament
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Not a Priority
Lack of political will and sponsorship
Lack of a competition culture
Competition not easily understood hence low public
interest
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Reforms were meant to address shortcomings
Institution is not meeting objectives
To improve the enforcement of the law
◦ To be more transparent in enforcement
◦ To be more accountable
◦ To provide for effect decision making and due
process
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Better coordination with Sector Regulators
To provide for best international practices
were possible
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Competitive Neutrality - that there is no level
playing field between public enterprises and
private companies
Nexus between Government and Big Firmslack of good governance where Government
favours certain companies over others
Small and Medium Enterprises - that SMEs do
not have adequate policies that promote
Liberalisation and Privatisation – no
sequencing in implementing these policies
Trans National Corporations – abuse of power
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Mainstreaming competition in national
development strategies– including SMEs
policy
Public interest matters – fairness and
consistency
Dominant players and State Owned
Companies – level playing field
Concurrent Jurisdiction with Sector Regulators
Lack Public and Govt support
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Mainstream competition into national
development
◦ must have a national policy on competition
◦ Advocacy
◦ Include competition in government strategies for
development
◦ Enforce the law
◦ Win over Government to support reform
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Public interest Issues
◦ Define them in legislation or regulations
◦ Consider current govt policy
◦ Win over Private sector to support reform
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Dominant Players and State Owned
Companies
◦ Advocacy with Government
◦ Investigations and studies highlighting effect on
competition
◦ Win over both Govt and Private sector to reform
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Concurrent Jurisdiction with Sector Regulators
◦ Define boundaries through MOU
◦ Be mindful of regulatory capture of Sector
Regulators
◦ Advocacy
◦ Win over critical stakeholders to reform
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Lack of Public and Government Support
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Show stakeholders relevance of competition
Raise awareness of competition and benefits
Prosecute wrong doers
Highlight limitations
Make noise on achievements
Win over the PUBLIC for reforms
ZAMBIA COMPETITION COMMISSION
4TH FLOOR MAIN POST OFFICE BUILDING
CAIRO ROAD, P.O. BOX 34919 LUSAKA
TEL: +260211222775 FAX:+260211222789
EMAIL: ZCOMP@ZAMTEL.ZM
ZAMBIA