“We can collaborate together to promote and sustain competition for avoiding litigation”, said Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, CCI

Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised Regional Workshop on Competition Law on Friday, 22 November, 2024 at 2.30 p.m. at HHI, Kolkata.

Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, CCI was the Chief Guest and Shri Rakesh Bhanot, Adviser CCI, & Dr. K D Singh, Director (Law), CCI also addressed the Workshop.

Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, CCI in her address stressed that trade and industry chambers should play instrumental role in providing an open platform for exchanging ideas that drive our economy forward. To eradicate anticompetitive behavior or practices, the business association should operate within the framework of competition law.

While discussing on Competition Amendment Act, 2023 Smt. Kaur mentioned that regulatory landscape has evolved significantly by the introduction of the pathbreaking amendment, to address the emerging challenges and strengthen our commitment to making India a global hub for businesses. She further added that introduction of commitments and settlements regime enables businesses to offer solutions which address competition concerns without undergoing lengthy legal proceedings. It allows for faster market corrections, conserving regulatory resources, and provides business organisations an opportunity to avoid adversarial proceedings.

Lastly, she ensured that CCI remains committed to working proactively and collaboratively with trade associations and businesses to ensure compliance with competition laws.

Shri Amit Saraogi, President, MCCI in his Welcome Address said that over time the competition regime in India has witnessed phenomenal changes in the way governments and businesses operate. CCI has not only played a pivotal role in creating awareness on competition laws and fair competition but have adjudicated matters from traditional brick and mortar industries to digital platforms and marketplaces.

Shri Saraogi also pointed out that different sectors in India have faced unique sector-specific challenges related to competition laws. However, the rapid advancements in the technology space outstrip the ability of traditional regulatory frameworks to promptly respond to issues pertaining to abuse of fair competition.

Smt Mamta Binani, Chairperson, Council on Legal & Corporate Governance, MCCI in her address focused on Recent Judgements in Competition Law. She mentioned the recent cases where the organizations have participated in anti-competitive practices.

She deliberated that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated investigations based on complaints from multiple parties alleging restrictions.

The Technical Session on ‘Competition Law Compliance: Do’s and Don’ts for Enterprises’ was addressed by Shri Rakesh Bhanot, Adviser, CCI

The Technical Session on ‘Collusive Conduct and Leniency’ was addressed by Dr. K D Singh, Director (Law), CCI.

The Session concluded with a hearty Vote of Thanks, proposed by Shri Munish Jhajharia, Vice President, MCCI.