The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) and The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) Thursday 15th July 2021 held a one-day advocacy, sensitization and awareness creation program on the regional competition policy. The program was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
The purpose of the advocacy program is to raise awareness about the work of ERCA, its mandate, scope of intervention and its implications for businesses and trade in the ECOWAS region. The programme also prepared stakeholders on the forthcoming interventions of ERCA and enlightened them on the working relationship between ERCA and GCCPC. The synergy availed participants the opportunity to participate in the process of the domestication of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Rules and ERCA’S Supplementary Act that are to be domesticated in each Member State.
In a statement the ECOWAS Permanent Representative Ambassador Vabah Gayflor emphasized the body’s commitment to the promotion of regional economic integration. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration Ebrima Sisawo hopes the synergy will open greater opportunities for trade in the regional bloc. The Acting Executive Director ERCA Dr. Simeone Koffi maintained that governments should look into the role of value added goods which he says are critical to advancing economic development. The Executive Secretary GCCPC noted that competition policies encourage efficiency in intra trade and other areas of cooperation.