CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT

Role of Stakeholders in Enforcement of the Law

Stakeholders in the enforcement of the competition regime include businesses and business associations in the private sectors; government ministries and agencies; mass and special-interest media; consumer organisations; labor unions  farmer groups and other non-governmental organisations, and academics and researchers, and all other citizens who do not identify  themselves as members of any interest group, but whose lives will be affected by competition law. The optimum relationship between the Competition Authority and the private sector is one of voluntary compliance on the part of the private sector. To ensure voluntary compliance, firms should engage competition lawyers to conduct due diligence to ensure that their agreements and conducts are not anti-competition.

Civil society organizations of all kinds and the media can enhance the enforcement process by notifying the Authority of possible anti-competitive business practices. It is in their interest to act as "watchdogs" for the Competition Authority.

Competition Authorities need to establish effective collaborative working relations with other government departments and bodies, particularily other regulatory bodies, to ensure that their respective roles are clearly defined, and consultation and cooperation mechanisms are in place. Academics and researchers in the region have a vital role to play in making the competition regime effective. They are equipped to conduct sectoral, industry and market studies and also assist with public education on the Law, its benefits, and enforcement procedures.

COMPETITION AUTHORITIES

• BARBADOS
• BELIZE
• GUYANA
• JAMAICA
• SURINAME
• TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
• ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
• DOMINICA
• GRENADA
• MONTSERRAT
• SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
• SAINT LUCIA
• SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES