This Bill consolidates the Competition Act 2007 and the Consumer Protection Act 2014, marking a significant step in strengthening fair trade and consumer rights in The Gambia.
At the validation exercise, Basiru Njie, Executive Secretary of GCCPU, said the day represents the realization of a dream long held, a vision nurtured, and a commitment pursued.
"In collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry Regional Integration and Employment we have been able to reach this milestone. I will like to express my gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariate for providing the support to review and amended the Competition Act 2007 and Consumer Protection 2014."
Njie also thanked the European Union for supporting the development of the commission merger regulations and guidelines.
He recalled that when he joined commission in 2012, couple of years after its inception, the landscape was vastly different.
"We were laying foundation, driven by a belief that a fair market, and a protected consumer, were not luxuries but necessities, for a just and prosperous Gambia. Through the years, we have faced challenge and celebrated milestone, but one constant has remained he continues."
"For years, we have listened to complaints from our dear consumers, our mothers in the market and our youth entrepreneurs and even our business owners, who rely on us to protect their rights and uphold the principle of fair competition."
Njie noted that the day marks the start of a process in ensuring that all the relevant concerns from stakeholders in relations to competition and Consumer welfare are adequately addressed in this bill.
Mrs Azuka Ogundeji, Commonwealth representative, explained that this Technical Assistance Project is managed by the Trade Competitive Section (TCS) of the Commonwealth Secretariate.
"The TCS is primarily focused on supporting member countries to improve their trade competitiveness. This support is delivered in 5 area national trade policy (including export strategies), trade in service, trade facilitation, investment facilitation and other cross-cutting trade and development issues. We also provide capacity Building support both to government officials and also directly to MSMEs."
Mrs. Ogundeji also spoke about the tenacity and persuasiveness of the GCCPU, in getting the Commonwealth support for this project.
"This is a testament to how passionate they are in ensuring that they are doing right by the government economy and the consumers. They are very focused and determined to deliver on their assignment and we think that this is quite commendable."
Deputizing the Minister of Trade Minister, Sering Modou Njie, minister of Defense, described the event as another significant milestone in their nation journey towards reshaping the competition and Consumer Protection landscape.
"Our presence here today represent the culmination of extensive consultive effort aimed at strengthening the regulations of market conducts for the benefits of business and Consumers."
Njie used the forum to thank the Commonwealth Secretariate for their immense supporting, while also saluting the European Union for supporting the commission to develop its first ever merger regulations.
This bill, according to Minister Njie, seeks to address key existing gaps that has limited the powers and impact of the commission, such as the introduction of fine for abuse of dominance and exploitative market conducts, power to initiate consumer protection investigation as well as the removal of all fees attached to the lodging of consumer complaints.
He assured that once the bill is enacted, all consumers can lodge complaints at zero cost.
This, he said, goes to show the commitment of the government in safeguarding the interest of consumer and enhancing their welfare.
