Competition Workshop in Barbados
On 18th of July 2016 a Competition Workshop in Barbados took place with the overall objective of contributing to the effective implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the CARIFORUM and the European Union, with particular reference to obligations relating to Competition in the 15 beneficiary Member States of CARIFORUM.
The training session commenced with an opening ceremony chaired by Mr. Bertram Johnson, Chief Economist of the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development (MIICS). Mr. Johnson stressed the importance of competition law and its positive impacts on economic and social development in Barbados.
Mr. Barry Headley, from the CARICOM Competition Commission also participated in the training on behalf of the consultants Equinoccio. Mr. Headley gave a brief overview of the context in which the sensitisation workshop on competition law and policy was being delivered; and he highlighted the importance of competition law and policy in helping to boost competitiveness and economic growth.
The workshop concluded with a statement made by the Honourable Minister Mr. Daonville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development (MIICS), who made a strong case for the importance of competition law and policy in Barbados and CARICOM. Also Mr. Daonville stressed that national competition authorities are neutral and not subject to political interference and they operate to balance the best interest of all stakeholders.
This training course is an output of the CARIFORUM/EU Capacity Building Project which is funded under the 10th EDF. A consortium led by Equinoccio, which includes the London School of Economics, SGS and Maastricht School of Management is implementing the project.