HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug 17, CMC – The Bermuda government says it has launched a series of public consultations with stakeholders as it seeks to advance its commitment to introduce modern competition legislation in the British Overseas Territory.
“Competition law is about markets that work fairly for the people and businesses that depend on them. In an economy of our size some concentration is inevitable. The question is whether the rules make that concentration serve consumers,” said Home Affairs Minister, Alexa N. H. Lightbourne.
“This consultation asks Bermudians to help settle those rules. The views you share will shape the legislation the Government brings to the Legislature,” she said, adding that through the consultation, the Ministry will hear from those the framework would affect, including consumers and members of the public, small, medium-sized, and large businesses, industry and professional associations, legal and regulatory bodies, and other identified groups.
The government said that the policy, first articulated in the 2024 and 2025 Throne speeches, provides the foundation for a proposed Competition Act 2026 that would establish rules to promote fair competition, address harmful business conduct, and provide for the review of certain mergers and acquisitions in essential sectors.
It said four principles govern the design, namely the proportionality to Bermuda’s economic scale, a focus on harmful conduct rather than market position itself, priority attention to seven essential sectors, and transparency through the publication of key regulatory decisions and findings.
The government said it’s core objective is markets that work fairly for the consumers and businesses that depend on them and that the framework would address anti-competitive harm that adds avoidable pressure to the cost of living, while recognising the realities of operating in a small island economy.
“The consultation is on the policy. The views received will shape the drafting of the Competition Act 2026 before the Government brings legislation to the Legislature. The Ministry has engaged private sector project managers to support stakeholder engagement and the collection and analysis of feedback, and to keep the process transparent, consistent, and methodologically sound which will advance in the coming weeks,” the government statement said.
The government said that the consultation remains open until September15, 2026, urging all stakeholders to review the policy document and share their views on any aspect of the proposals.
CMC/ah/ir/2026