The enforcement of Competition Law creates a conducive business environment for small and medium enterprises to grow into big businesses and provides equal opportunities and a level playing field to all businesses to compete, innovate and become profitable. This was stated by CCP officials during separate seminars at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) Sialkot, and the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), organized by CCP as part of the “National Road Show on Competition Law.” The seminars were addressed by CCP Members Shahzad Ansar, Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, Mueen Batlay and attended by the President SCCI Mansoor Ahmed, Vice President Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, SIMAP Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Raza, GCCI President Sameeullah Naeem, Vice President Sh. Abdur Rauf, members of the chambers of commerce and trade association and the business community in large number. The participants of these seminars brought pertinent issues concerning competition, particularly those faced by the small and medium enterprises, in the notice of CCP and requested the removal of entry barriers in various sectors of the economy to pave the way for smooth business. They highlighted the problems caused by the energy shortage which was creating problems for businesses. CCP officials encouraged the businessmen to file complaints about the competition related issues with CCP and assured to address their problems in the interest of free and healthy competition. CCP Member Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi in his presentation said that all the developed economies of the world had implemented the competition laws and were trying to remove all kinds of entry barriers and other anti-competitive practices in all sectors of the economy. He emphasised that discouraging anti-competitive practices are pre-requisite for smooth and competitive business environment for local and domestic investors which results in benefits for not only the businesses but for all the consumers. He urged the businessmen to understand the Competition Law and seek CCP’s guidance in implementing it. The businesses were also asked to self-regulate by complying with the competition law in their respective sectors. Qureshi said that all the provisions of the Competition Act, 2010 were pro-business. He, briefed the participants about the competition regime in Pakistan and explained the substantive provisions of the Competition Act, 2010. Responding to a question about the CCP’s inquiry into fee raise by private schools, Qureshi said that the Lahore High Court had granted a stay order in the case and therefore CCP cannot take further action in this regard till the vacation of the stay order by the court. Shahzad Ansar in his presentation on deceptive marketing practices said that the role of CCP was to protect the consumers and businesses from misleading advertising, false and fraudulent use of another’s trade mark and misleading comparison of goods. Mueen Batlay briefed the participants on the merger thresholds and merger filing with CCP. GCCI President Sameeullah Naeem while addressing the seminar in Gujranwala said that the implementation of the Competition Law was crucial for a smooth business environment and requested CCP to hold more such advocacy sessions for the businessmen. SIMAP Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Raza said that businesses could not flourish without competition therefore, he asked businesses to follow the competition rules and regulations. CCP officials asked companies to adopt the Voluntary Competition Compliance Code (VCC Code) designed by the CCP so that the corporate sector can reap the benefits competition and contribute towards creating a compliant competitive business environment.
The enforcement of Competition Law creates a conducive business environment for small and medium enterprises to grow into big businesses and provides equal opportunities and a level playing field to all businesses to compete, innovate and become profitable. This was stated by CCP officials during separate seminars at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) Sialkot, and the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), organized by CCP as part of the “National Road Show on Competition Law.” The seminars were addressed by CCP Members Shahzad Ansar, Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, Mueen Batlay and attended by the President SCCI Mansoor Ahmed, Vice President Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, SIMAP Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Raza, GCCI President Sameeullah Naeem, Vice President Sh. Abdur Rauf, members of the chambers of commerce and trade association and the business community in large number.
The participants of these seminars brought pertinent issues concerning competition, particularly those faced by the small and medium enterprises, in the notice of CCP and requested the removal of entry barriers in various sectors of the economy to pave the way for smooth business. They highlighted the problems caused by the energy shortage which was creating problems for businesses. CCP officials encouraged the businessmen to file complaints about the competition related issues with CCP and assured to address their problems in the interest of free and healthy competition.
CCP Member Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi in his presentation said that all the developed economies of the world had implemented the competition laws and were trying to remove all kinds of entry barriers and other anti-competitive practices in all sectors of the economy. He emphasised that discouraging anti-competitive practices are pre-requisite for smooth and competitive business environment for local and domestic investors which results in benefits for not only the businesses but for all the consumers. He urged the businessmen to understand the Competition Law and seek CCP’s guidance in implementing it.
The businesses were also asked to self-regulate by complying with the competition law in their respective sectors. Qureshi said that all the provisions of the Competition Act, 2010 were pro-business. He, briefed the participants about the competition regime in Pakistan and explained the substantive provisions of the Competition Act, 2010. Responding to a question about the CCP’s inquiry into fee raise by private schools, Qureshi said that the Lahore High Court had granted a stay order in the case and therefore CCP cannot take further action in this regard till the vacation of the stay order by the court.
Shahzad Ansar in his presentation on deceptive marketing practices said that the role of CCP was to protect the consumers and businesses from misleading advertising, false and fraudulent use of another’s trade mark and misleading comparison of goods. Mueen Batlay briefed the participants on the merger thresholds and merger filing with CCP.
GCCI President Sameeullah Naeem while addressing the seminar in Gujranwala said that the implementation of the Competition Law was crucial for a smooth business environment and requested CCP to hold more such advocacy sessions for the businessmen.
SIMAP Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Raza said that businesses could not flourish without competition therefore, he asked businesses to follow the competition rules and regulations.
CCP officials asked companies to adopt the Voluntary Competition Compliance Code (VCC Code) designed by the CCP so that the corporate sector can reap the benefits competition and contribute towards creating a compliant competitive business environment.
© CCP 2023, Competition Commission of Pakistan ©All rights reserved
