Competition Law at Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda does not currently have a national competition law in place. However, as a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it is subject to regional competition policy under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
🇦🇬 National Competition Law
Antigua and Barbuda has not enacted domestic legislation to regulate competition or establish a national competition authority. Plans to draft additional competition policy legislation have been noted, but as of now, no such law has been implemented
🌍 Regional Competition Policy
Under Chapter 8 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM member states, including Antigua and Barbuda, are required to prohibit anti-competitive business conduct within their jurisdictions. This includes:
Agreements between enterprises, decisions by associations of enterprises, and concerted practices that have the object or effect of preventing, restricting, or distorting competition within the Community
Actions by which an enterprise abuses its dominant position within the Community
Any other conduct by enterprises whose object or effect is to frustrate the benefits expected from the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) .
While these provisions establish a regional framework, enforcement relies on the establishment of national competition authorities, which Antigua and Barbuda has yet to implement.
🏛️ Institutional Developments
The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has agreed to establish a regional competition body to handle competition matters within its single market. A draft OECS competition bill has been submitted to the Ministry of Legal Affairs for review .
📄 Access to the Revised Treaty
The full text of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, including Chapter 8 on Competition Policy and Consumer Protection, is available on the CARICOM website:
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