Former Deputy Speaker happy with competition law implementation

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Created on Friday, 13 November 2015 13:10

Kapanda Phiri( L) talks to CFTC Economist Innocent Helema during the business clinic

Former Deputy Speaker to the National Assembly, Lilian Kapanda Phiri has said she is happy with the implementation of the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) which was passed in 1998 when she was in the august house.

Speaking on the sidelines of a business clinic for traders in Kasungu on November 12 2015, Kapanda Phiri who was Deputy Speaker between 1994 and 1999 said it was encouraging to note that the government instituted the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), a competition and consumer protection agency as provided under the CFTA of 1998.

She pointed out that there a lot of unfair trade and restrictive business practices which are happening on the market which the law will hopefully correct.

“Sometimes it is hard for Members of Parliament to appreciate the importance of a particular Act. But I am happy that an Act whose enactment I was part of is effective and correcting practices that are happening on the market,” said Kapanda Phiri.

She added that CFTC needs to focus its awareness and advocacy efforts to rural areas where most traders take advantage of consumers.

CFTC has rolled out business clinics—discussions on competition law—and consumer surgeries—complaints handling services—which are targeting traders and consumers across the country.

Recently, the Commission has engaged traders in Machinga, Zomba, Mulanje, Thyolo and Blantyre. The competition and consumer protection agency has also been to Karonga, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, Kasungu, and Nkhata Bay.