The Competition Commission of India (CCI), in collaboration
with the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry, organized a Regional
Workshop on Competition Law in Kolkata today. The occasion strived to raise
awareness about competition law and promote compliance among businesses.
In her keynote speech during the inaugural session, CCI
Chairperson Smt. Ravneet Kaur emphasized the crucial role of trade and industry
chambers in building outlets for discussion and opinion exchange. She stressed
the significance of these organizations working within the ambit of competition
laws to secure a level playing field in the market.
The Chairperson repeated CCI’s dedication to working
proactively and cooperatively with trade bodies to encourage compliance with
competition rules. She also discussed recent reforms under the Competition
Amendment Act, 2023, which strive to handle emerging challenges and boost India’s
status as an international business hub.
One of the crucial reforms debated was the introduction of a
commitments and settlements regime. This new mechanism permits businesses to
freely settle competition problems without lengthy legal proceedings, allowing
faster market corrections, preserving regulatory aids, and bypassing
adversarial procedures. Terming it a “game changer,” Smt. Kaur said that this
endeavor echoes CCI’s stress on innovation, economic development, and consumer
welfare.
The workshop also featured two technical sessions conducted
by CCI officers. The first session covered “Collusive Conduct and Leniency”,
offering insights into detecting and addressing cartel-like behavior. The
second session focused on “Competition Law Compliance: Do’s and Don’ts for
Enterprises”, providing practical guidance for businesses.
Smt. Kaur expressed confidence in the workshop’s ability to
facilitate meaningful discussions, enhance understanding of competition law,
and build synergies between regulators and industry stakeholders.
The event reaffirmed CCI’s role as a key driver of a fair
and competitive business environment in India. (PR)