Draft competition legislation and policy were customized for the country
In late 2017, the Ministry engaged the services of a competition lawyer to draft Competition (Antitrust) Legislation for The Bahamas. The Consultant undertook a legal inventory of existing statutes, subsidiary legislation and policies that have an impact on all economic activities in The Bahamas and conducted an economic mapping survey of the economic and dynamics of key sectors in The Bahamas.
The results of the legal inventory and economic mapping survey were used to ensure that the draft competition legislation and policy were customized for the Bahamian context; fulfilled The Bahamas’ current obligations for Competition Policy under the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which The Bahamas signed in 2008; and policy met World Trade Organization (WTO) accession requirements.
Scenarios were developed for the institutional design of a competition agency
Additionally, the Consultant sought to build on an existing Draft Competition Bill (dated 1st August 2007), and develop scenarios for institutional design of a competition agency taking into account the powers and functions of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) under the Communications Act, and models existing in other CARICOM jurisdictions.
The Ministry recently circulated the Draft Legislation (dated April 2018) provided by the Consultant and also held initial consultations regarding the Draft Legislation from Tuesday 26th June to Friday, 29th June 2018, led by the Competition Consultant.
The PowerPoint presentations made during the Consultations can be accessed here:
- Presentation on Competition Diagnostics Report
- Presentation on Lay Man’s Draft Competition Law (PART 1)
- Presentation on Lay Man’s Draft Competition Law (PART 2)
Comments on the draft legislation should be submitted by August 3rd
The Ministry encourages comments on the Draft Legislation so that they may be conveyed to the Consultant, and subsequently submitted for the information and consideration of the Office of the Attorney General and the Law Reform Commission.
The Draft Competition Legislation (dated April 2018) can be accessed here: Draft Competition Legislation.
The Draft Competition Legislation (dated April 2018), including annotations, case references, reference books, and articles, can be accessed here: Draft Competition Legislation with References and Annotations.
Additional consultations on the Draft Legislation will take place in due course and the public will be informed accordingly. In the interim, members of the public are encouraged to review and submit comments on the Draft Competition Legislation (dated April 2018).
Comments on the Draft Competition Legislation can be forwarded to trade@bahamas.gov.bs, preferably by 3rd August 2018.
The Ministry can be contacted via 328-5071 to 6 or via trade@bahamas.gov.bs for additional information if necessary.