Fair biz climate Focus on role of mass media

FE REPORT

Speakers at a seminar highlighted the role of the media alongside the Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) in ensuring healthy business competition in the market.

The BCC and the mass media can jointly play a pivotal role in building a competitive business environment and ensuring fair business practice in the country.

To this end, the BCC is ensuring fair competition by preventing anti-competitive behaviours like monopolistic market arrangement or cartel.

It is helping drive the country towards sustainable economic growth through innovation and high productivity.

The speakers said this at the seminar styled 'Implementation of the BCC Act and the Role of the Media in Establishing Fair Competition in the Market'.

The BCC and the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) co-hosted the event in the ERF Auditorium on Saturday.

They said the consumers would get better-quality products at affordable prices if the state agency could create competition in the market.

Furthermore, there will be increased demand for goods which will help to increase investment, according to them.

Addressing as the chief guest, BCC chairperson Pradip Ranjan Chakraborty said the commission was contributing significantly to promoting fair competition, market efficiency, consumer protection and strong institutions.

"To maintain a fair competitive environment in business, the BCC has strengthened the market monitoring system and it's investigating cases filed for anti-competitive activities," he pointed out.

Md Hafizur Rahman, a BCC member in a presentation highlighted the implementation of 'The Competition Act 2012'.

The BCC filed 97 cases. Of them, 51 were disposed of through fines and punishment. Besides, the commission issued 74 'suo-moto' cases against different companies, said Mr Hafiz.

He emphasises that the consumer get best products at competitive prices if 'The Competition Act' is implemented fully.

BCC members Sowdagar Mustafizur Rahman and Salma Akhter Jahan, senior journalists Abdul Hannan, SM Jahangir and Salauddin Bablu also spoke.

ERF president Refayet Ullah Mirdha chaired the event, moderated by assistant general secretary Mizanur Rahman.

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