Events Calendar

The FTC Celebrates World Consumer Rights Day

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) joined the Consumer Affairs Commission in celebrating World Consumer Rights Day. The FTC team enjoyed a productive day engaging with students under the theme, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers.”

FTC appears on Belizean morning show to discuss the development of competition policy in Belize

Mr. David Miller, Executive Director of the FTC, recently appeared on a Belizean morning show alongside Mr. Berisford Codd, Senior Trade Economist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Belize, to discuss the development of competition policy in Belize and the importance of fostering fairer, more efficient markets.

During the interview, it was explained that Belize is collaborating with the FTC, the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to advance the creation of a comprehensive competition law framework. Mr. Miller emphasised that competition policy is fundamentally about protecting consumers—ensuring they benefit from higher-quality goods and services, greater choice, and competitive prices—while simultaneously promoting innovation, business expansion, and sustainable economic development.

Drawing on Jamaica’s experience, Mr. Miller highlighted the transformative impact of increased competition in the telecommunications sector. He noted that greater market rivalry led to improved service quality, wider product offerings, and significantly lower prices for consumers. This example served as a practical illustration of how effective competition policy can deliver tangible benefits across an economy.

The discussion also underscored the critical role of regulation in sectors characterised by natural monopolies, such as electricity and water. In these industries, where full competition may not be possible, strong regulatory oversight is necessary to simulate competitive conditions and prevent anti-competitive practices such as abuse of dominance, predatory pricing, bid rigging, and price fixing. According to Mr. Miller, appropriate regulation ensures that consumers receive fair value while safeguarding market stability.

Regarding Belize’s current position, it was acknowledged that while certain competition principles are embedded within sector-specific legislation—such as telecommunications—there remains a need for a standalone competition law to provide clearer and more comprehensive guidance, particularly in areas like mergers and acquisitions. The Ministry’s next steps include a three-day capacity-building workshop and the launch of a public questionnaire to gather feedback from stakeholders, which will inform the revision of the draft bill.

Overall, Mr. Miller’s appearance highlighted the FTC’s leadership role in the region and its commitment to supporting Caribbean partners in developing robust competition frameworks that promote fairness, efficiency, and consumer welfare.

Click here to watch the full interview.

FTC participates in the CARICOM Competition Commission/Commonwealth Secretariat’s in‑country sensitization and training programme

From February 10–12, 2026, Mr. David Miller, Executive Director, participated in the CARICOM Competition Commission/Commonwealth Secretariat’s in‑country sensitization and training programme on competition law and policy for key stakeholder groups in Belize. He delivered presentations on “Competition Authorities and Sector Regulators” and “Establishing Effective Competition Authorities: Case Study of the Jamaica Fair Trading Commission.”

Thirty-five representatives from various Government Ministries and Agencies attended the programme, which aimed to support the establishment of a competition law framework in Belize and to provide participants with insights into the intersection of competition law and regulation.

Mr. Miller’s presentations can be accessed here

In the photo: L-R – Margaret Ventura (EPA Coordinator- Directorate General for Foreign Trade), Berisford Codd (Senior Trade Economist- Directorate General for Foreign Trade), Hon. Marconi Leal (Minister of State for Foreign Trade), H.E. Ambassador Amalia Mai (Chief Executive Officer for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade), Azuka Ogundeji (Trade Advisor – Commonwealth Secretariat), Mr. David Miller, Execultive Director, Fair Trading Commission (Jamaica),Tricia Gideon (Deputy Director General for Foreign Trade – Directorate General for Foreign Trade)

The FTC released its latest report: “Accommodating Ride-Hailing Platforms in Public Passenger Transport in Jamaica”

This comprehensive study explores the economic, social, and regulatory impacts of ride-hailing services such as Uber, inDrive, Ride Jamaica, and 876OnTheGo. It addresses key public concerns around safety, fairness, and competition, compares these platforms with traditional taxi models, and proposes a balanced framework for integrating technology-driven mobility into Jamaica’s transport system.

Read the full report here

FTC participates in the Office of Public Procurement Policy’s Procast podcast

The FTC’s Executive Director, Mr. David Miller, recently appeared on the Office of Public Procurement Policy’s Procast podcast to discuss “Ethics & Fair Play in Public Procurement.

In the conversation, Mr. Miller emphasises why competition is critical to maintaining integrity in public procurement. He explains how practices such as collusion, bid rigging, and corruption drive up project costs, disadvantage MSMEs, and ultimately burden taxpayers.

Mr. Miller also underscores the importance of strong competition law enforcement, advocacy, and inter-agency collaboration to prevent these issues and strengthen public procurement systems.

Click here to watch the full podcast on the FTC’s website or follow this link to the Ministry of Finance Jamaica YouTube channel.

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Fair Trading Commission’s World Competition Day Message

View message from Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment And Commerce

On this World Competition Day 2025, the Jamaica Fair Trading Commission (FTC) proudly joins the global community in reaffirming our commitment to fair, open, and competitive markets — the pillars of national growth, consumer welfare, and sustainable innovation.

This year’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence, Consumers, and Competition Policy,” captures the transformative era we are entering. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how Jamaicans bank, shop, learn, and access healthcare. The potential is immense: greater efficiency, modernized service delivery, and innovative products that reach consumers across the island. Jamaica welcomes this AI-driven progress.

Yet, these opportunities come with significant responsibilities. AI introduces new challenges, from algorithmic bias and opaque digital systems to risks of dominant firms consolidating power in emerging markets. We must ensure that Jamaica’s digital transition does not turn the digital divide into a digital monopoly.

The FTC underscores three core commitments:

1. Protecting Jamaican Consumers
   We will safeguard consumers from misleading automated systems, deceptive algorithms, and exploitative digital platforms. Consumer rights must remain paramount in every corner of the virtual space.
2. Promoting Fair and Competitive Markets
   AI-driven innovation should benefit all Jamaicans. Start-ups, MSMEs, and new entrants must compete on fair terms, free from barriers created by data advantages or algorithmic dominance.
3. Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
   We will advance modern digital and competition policies through collaboration with policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and regional partners across the CSME. Jamaica’s competition regime must be future ready.

A Direct Message to Key Stakeholders

To Policymakers:
Continue supporting strong, adaptive regulatory frameworks that protect consumers while fostering responsible innovation. Your leadership is vital to ensuring AI strengthens—not undermines—competitive markets.

To the Business Community:
Embrace AI responsibly, compete fairly, and innovate with integrity. Transparency, accountability, and respect for consumer rights are not just obligations, they are competitive advantages in today’s digital economy.

To Consumers:
Your vigilance, choices, and voices shape the marketplace. Stay informed, ask questions, and engage confidently with digital tools. The FTC remains committed to protecting your rights as technology evolves.

Our guiding principle is clear: technology must serve the people of Jamaica — stimulating innovation and business growth, protecting consumers, and sustaining a dynamic, inclusive, and an equitable economy.

Let us move forward together, as government, industry, and citizens, to build a digital marketplace where innovation thrives and fair competition remains the backbone of national progress.

Happy World Competition Day!

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The FTC participated in the Legal Aid Council’s Seminar

The Fair Trading Commission’s Senior Legal Counsel, Mrs. Susan Lawrence-Simms, participated in the Legal Aid Council’s Seminar on November 27, 2025, under the theme “After Melissa: From Rubble to Rights.”

Her presentation explored key consumer protection provisions under the Fair Competition Act (FCA), including misleading advertising, double ticketing, sale at a bargain price, and tied selling.

Mrs. Lawrence-Simms reaffirmed the FTC’s commitment to safeguarding Jamaican consumers in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. She emphasised the Commission’s role in fostering market stability, enforcing the FCA robustly, monitoring markets, and encouraging public vigilance.

The full presentation can be accessed here

FTC presents at Graduate Seminar

On November 17, 2025, Dr. Kevin Harriottt, Competition Bureau Chief at the Fair Trading Commission, served as guest presenter at the Graduate Seminar hosted by the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, Mona. His presentation, titled “The Value of Economic Thought,” explored the role of economics as a critical decision-making science and its relevance to both personal and professional development.

Addressing an audience of more 30 masters-level economics students, Dr. Harriott emphasised that economics offers a structured framework for understanding how individuals and societies make choices. He highlighted core principles such as trade-offs, opportunity costs, marginal decision-making and incentives, illustrating how these concepts extend beyond academic theory. By applying these principles individuals can evaluate options, anticipate consequences and make choices that maximise personal an social well-being.

A central theme of his presentation was the versatility of economics training. Dr. Harriott noted that knowledge, and expertise in the field prepare individuals for success across diverse sectors. He encouraged students not to limit themselves to traditional career paths, but to embrace the wide-ranging opportunities that economic thinking provides – from public policy to finance, business strategy, competition regulation, and beyond.

To reinforce this message, Dr. Harriott shared his own professional journey, reflecting on the experiences and decisions that shaped his career. His story served as an inspiring example of how applying economic reasoning can guide meaningful growth.

Overall, the presentation was well received. Attendees appreciated Dr. Harriott’s ability to blend theoretical concepts with practical insights and motivational guidance. His talk offered not only academic enrichment but also valuable encouragement for students as they plan their careers in economics.

The FTC will be presenting at the 20th Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR) Conference

We’re proud to announce that our Research Officers will be presenting at the 20^th Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR) Conference, taking place from October 27 to October 30, 2025, at the Jewel Grande Resort & Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

On Day 2 – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Shavanne Smith will present his research paper “Climate Change and the Economic Impact of Wastewater Usage” during the session: Transforming Water Management: Regulatory, Economic, and Cultural Strategies for Sustainable Water Security.  

On Day 3 – Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Kalifa Clarke will present a joint research paper on “Fostering Competition in CARICOM Telecoms Markets”, during the session: Restoring Trust in the Telecoms Network. 

Small Business Pitch Competition at the Manchester Biz Show