ACM Netherlands collaborates with AFTA in developing conditions for competition management
ORANJESTAD - As part of the cooperation between Aruba and the Netherlands under the Landspakket, experts from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will be visiting Aruba at various stages to assist the Aruba Fair Trade Authority (AFTA) in different areas of work.
An ACM competition expert visited Aruba recently to assist AFTA in developing the preconditions for competition management. This expert work will last for three months, after which another expert will arrive in Aruba to assist AFTA in other areas. TWO-Netherlands is financing the assistance of these experts, which will strengthen the functioning of AFTA.
On December 1, 2023, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Communication, and Sustainable Development, Mr. Geoffrey Wever, inaugurated the Aruba Fair Trade Authority in downtown Oranjestad. On January 1, 2024, the national fair competition law also came into effect, enabling AFTA to begin its duties.
AFTA, as an independent organization with its board, has the primary task of executing the national fair competition law. The national competition ordinance guarantees fair economic development, establishes rules regarding agreements that limit competition and market power, and supervises business concentrations.
At the end of January 2024, Minister Geoffrey Wever traveled to the Netherlands to meet with Dutch experts from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) to discuss various areas of cooperation. Preparations have also begun for legislation that includes consumer protection under AFTA’s responsibility. This law is in its final stages of preparation, with the intention that by 2025, AFTA will have the additional responsibility of regulating and providing information on consumer protection.
For more information about the responsibilities and tasks of the Aruba Fair Trade Authority, you can visit their website at www.afta.aw.