RECOGNISING that anti-competitive practices may constitute an obstacle to the achievement of economic growth, trade liberalisation and economic efficiency in the COMESA Member States;

THAT the continued growth in regionalisation of business activities correspondingly increases the likelihood that anti-competitive practices in one country may adversely affect competition in another country;

THE NEED  for  Member  States  to  give  effect  to  the  principles  of Regional Competition Regulations and Rules and to use moderation and self-restraint in the interest of co-operation in the field of anti-competitive business practices;

THE DESIRABILITY of setting standards for procedures by which the regional competition agency can act as a forum for exchange of views, consultations and conciliation on matters related to anti-competitive practices affecting COMESA regional and international trade;

THAT THE GROWTH of foreign direct investment, trade, regional and sub-regional economic integration and co-operation have led to such restrictive business practices as price cartels, market sharing and other practices which adversely impact upon competition and therefore are inimical to consumer welfare;

CONSIDERING thereof that Member States should co-operate at regional level in the implementation of their respective national legislation in order to eliminate the harmful effects of anti-competitive practices;

CONSIDERING  also   that   closer   co-operation   between   COMESA Member States in the form of notification, exchange of information, co-ordination of actions, consultation among Member States should be encouraged;

CONSCIOUS of the relative presence of national competition authorities in Member States and the desirability of establishing national competition authorities in all COMESA Member States;