c)
Consumer Welfare
This Policy recognizes the importance of consumer welfare as a public
intere,s :.p,heqornenon: that .encompas$es other issues such as the
protection of consumer interests, rights and access to a wider choice of
. quality goods and services at competitive prices.
6.0 GU IDING PRINCiPLES
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6.1 Competition principles recognize that competition is not an end in itself but
rather a means for,improv\ng the oyerall eCQnomic performanc and welfare
oLthecouQtry., Accordingly, Competition Policy considers issues such as
cs!:)stl;lir;l<;lbl,e dev,eIQPrnent; social welfare, consumer inter sts .and efficient
. use ,of !r sol,lrCes. , On that basis, the, broad Guiding Principles which
" underlie8otswana's Competition Policy are outlined below:
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:
a) Unfettered Gompetition to drive competitiveness ahd dynamism
throughout almost all sectors of the economy;
b) Universal and transparent application of competition rules stimulates
inter-firm rivalry and leads to efficiency in the allocation of resources;
c)
Prohibition of any behaviour, which has the purpose or effect of
lessening competition in a market;
d) ALJthorization of some anticompetitive. behaviour on the basis of "public
interest", if and when, total welfare gains to society outweigh the costs;
and
e)
Consistency of the Competition Policy with and its supportiveness of
the gener.;:lI thrust of domestic economic reforms in Botswana which,
among other things, call for the removal of unnecessary barriers to
trade: ,and competition and relaxation of cumbersome administrative
regulations.
7.0' POLICY OBJECTIVES
7.1 The objectives of the Competition Policy are to:
a)
Enhance economic efficiency, promote consumer welfare and support
economic growth and diversification;
t"
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