FTC no soap opera, circus

The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is not and will never be a soap opera, nor will they put on a show like clowns in a circus, by discussing matters that have not yet appeared fully before them, or speak to issues which are currently under discussion.

This is the stern message that the Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, is sending out to those organisations who call on this Commission either, in the public forum or privately, to ask them to comment on these areas.

He said that within the past year, the FTC has been involved in a number of enquires, some of which are resolved within a year and others which can take longer.

“In the past year, the Commission has conducted a number of investigations into mergers and alleged anti-competitive practices. These investigations dealt with conduct such as excessive pricing and refusal to engage with competitors or suppliers. These investigations arose in a wide range of sectors including, telecommunications, distribution and quarrying. Some of these investigations were resolved within the year, but others are on-going.”

However, they should not expect the FTC to discuss topics which they do not have sufficient information on, or to comment on things that are still before them.

“Let me take this opportunity to respond to those who publicly and privately call for the FTC to comment on several existing or proposed transactions in Barbados, in both the public and private sectors.

“As an independent and professional entity, the FTC ought not to and will not engage in discussions outside of their internal system, on matters that are not fully and properly before them, or on matters to which they are engaged on, until at such time that their decisions are made.”

Inniss said that organisations and individuals are allowed to call this Commission to voice their concerns, and they would be given a reply relating to such, but they must not expect anyone there to be engaged in a debate as the work that they do is of a serious nature.

“Institutions, companies and individuals are encouraged to raise their concerns with the FTC at anytime, and you will be given a response. But do not expect the FTC under my watch to become a soap opera or to be engaged as a circus, where you go see the clowns at play. It, like the Office of Public Counsel and the Department of Commerce, has serious work to do, and to do so without fear or favour.”

In addition, those persons who are not pleased with any projected amalgamations or acquisitions, must not use any of the departments within his Ministry to try to prevent such moves, said Inniss.

“Likewise, those who may not be pleased with proposed mergers or acquisitions, will not attempt to use any of the departments in my Ministry to frustrate or disrupt such. But you can expect such bodies to do what the law allows them to do.”

At the time, the Minister of Industry was delivering the opening remarks and introduction at the One Day Sensitisation Workshop on Competition Law yesterday at the Savannah Hotel.