The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (‘ICCC’) will join Pacific Island competition and consumer protection authorities in the Pacific region to form a new network to promote well-functioning markets in the region.
The ICCC with its counterparts will share intelligence, investigative techniques, and best practices in a newly formed initiative to be called the Pacific Island Network of Competition, Consumer and Economic Regulators (‘PINCCER’).
The founding PINCCER national authorities representing the economies (Papua New Guinea, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu) have already set about establishing the network protocols and focus areas.
“The ICCC is glad to be one of the co-founders and part of this historic move and looks forward to working closely with our Pacific brothers and sisters in ensuring fairer markets that create a conducive environment for investment and trade, and more importantly ensuring consumers’ interest are protected, ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paulus Ain said.
The Pacific region has small developing economies that face common challenges in facilitating fair competition, pricing, and consumer protection. Many of these economies are still growing their expertise and resources in these areas.
“The ICCC is enthusiastic about the positive outcomes of this collaboration and partnership. We are keen to learn new developments and concepts from our more experienced counterparts like Australia and New Zealand, and improve the effectiveness of our existing policy and regulatory framework,” Mr. Ain said.
“By being the lead agency of the consumer protection workstream within the PINCCER, the ICCC is also keen to share its experience and knowledge with our island neighbours and support the development of this newly established or developing regulatory frameworks.”
PINCCER will seek to build agency capabilities, strengthen the combined agency voice of competition and consumer protection authorities in Pacific Island smaller economies, and provide a focused forum to promote well-functioning markets.
For more information and enquiries on PINCCER, please contact the Consumer Protection Division Executive Manager, Mrs. Jacqueline Atua-Waffi, on telephone 312 4600 or email jwaffi@iccc.gov.pg.
231106_MR – ICCC joins Pacific Islands counterparts to form new network (PINCCER)