Following from the Protocol on Trade, the Declaration on Regional Cooperation in Competition and Consumer Policies of elaborates on SADC’s position toward economic competition throughout the region.
Through the Declaration, Member States officially recognise that Regional Integration creates markets that cross national boundaries subject to varying trade policies. Therefore, Member States agree to converge their policies in order to preserve equity in trade and fair competition throughout the region, with the ultimate aim of regional policy harmonisation.
The Declaration also states the SADC Secretariat will establish a Competition and Consumer Policy and Law Committee to oversee cooperation on competition policies. Similarly, the Secretariat will aid Member States in establishing competition authorities, facilitating studies and programmes on competition and consumer policy, and building capacity throughout the region.
