a tripartite report - Unctad

ZAMBIA
12. Advocacy Programmes
To create a culture of competition and
consumer welfare among consumers,
business community, policymakers and
other stakeholders.
13. Resolution of Disputes
To ensure that consumers have recourse
to formal or informal procedures that are
expeditious, fair and inexpensive.
14. Inter-Institutional Linkages
To harmonize the activities and legal
framework of relevant institutions involved
in competition and consumer welfare
matters.
• Carry out information dissemination activities.
• Inform consumers about the regulatory bodies that can
address their grievances.
• Engage the media in the sensitization process by promoting
competition and consumer programmes in electronic and
print media.
• Establish legal and institutional framework and clear
administrative procedure.
• Review of current legislation and amendment or repeal
where necessary.
• Encourage relevant authorities to cooperate with
counterparts.
• Create clear inter-institutional mechanisms for synergy
Source: National Competition & Consumer Policy, May 2009, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Republic of Zambia.
The implementation framework of the Policy covered
the following areas: (i) institutional arrangements;
(ii) the Zambia Competition Commission;
(iii) the judiciary; (iv) sector regulators; (v) law
Box 6: Implementation Framework of the Policy
1. Institutional Arrangements:
105
enforcement agencies; (vi) legal and regulatory
ing;
and (viii) monitoring and evaluation. These are
The institutions that will be important in the implementation of the Policy include the Commission, sector regulators
and the Judiciary. The implementation of the Policy will require working in close collaboration with other stakeholders.
2. Zambia Competition Commission
The primary institution mandated to implement the competition and consumer welfare policy is the Zambia Competition
Commission (ZCC). The ZCC will monitor, control and prohibit acts or behaviour, which are likely to adversely
affect competition, fair trading and consumer welfare in Zambia. Furthermore, the ZCC should be empowered to
address such market disputes through effective enforcement of competition and consumer law. In addition, a Competition
and Consumer Tribunal should be established to allow for due process.
In order for ZCC to effectively implement the law, it should be accessible countrywide, thus the need to decentralize
its operations.
3. The Judiciary
The Judiciary through the court system shall play an important role in enhancing the enforcement mandate of the
competition and consumer authority.
In that regard, the Small Claims Court shall provide timely and cost effective resolution of disputes for small claims.
The relevant authority and other institutions that deal with consumer protection shall refer appropriate cases to
the Small Claims Court. The relevant authority and/or statute creating its existence shall develop an institutional
coordination mechanism with the Small Claims Court for the purposes of identifying cases that may need the attention
of either institution.
ZAMBIA