FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARICOM Competition Commission Bids Farewell to Chairman Downes and Commissioner Marcus-Burnett

Paramaribo, Suriname, 19 August 2026 – The CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) today announced the departure of two of its commissioners whose tenures concluded on 31 July 2026: Professor Andrew Downes and Mrs. Emalene Marcus-Burnett.

Prof. Downes is a distinguished economist with decades of experience in economics and regional development policy. Following the retirement in December 2024 of former chairman Mr. Justice Christopher Blackman Prof. Downes was appointed Chairman of the CCC from 1 January 2025 to 31 July 2026. Under his chairmanship, the CCC continued its work of enforcing competition policy and protecting consumers across Member States, while balancing the interests of the region’s businesses and its people. He guided the Commission’s work with the same rigour that defined his long academic and public-service career. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, Prof. Downes was a Commissioner and Deputy Chairman of the CCC from May 2022.

Mrs. Emalene Marcus-Burnett was appointed a Commissioner in January 2017. In her capacity, she also assumed the additional function of chairperson of the CCC’s Human Resource Committee in January 2025. Mrs. Marcus-Burnett’s stewardship of the Human Resource Committee helped ensure the CCC’s institutional strength, by overseeing the policies and practices that support the staff who carry out the organisation’s day-to-day mandate.

“On behalf of the Commission, I extend our deepest gratitude to Professor Downes and Mrs. Marcus-Burnett for their dedicated service. Their contributions have strengthened this institution and advanced the cause of fair competition and consumer protection throughout the Caribbean Community.” said Dr. Troy Waterman, Executive Director of the CCC.

The Commission will announce the appointment of successors to these roles in due course, in accordance with the procedures set out under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Commissioners are appointed to the Commission by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (‘RJLSC’).

About the CARICOM Competition Commission

The CARICOM Competition Commission, headquartered in Paramaribo, is a specialised institution of CARICOM dedicated to the promotion and protection of competition within the CSME. Its primary goal is to create a level playing field for businesses while fostering economic growth and development in the CSME Member States.

CARICOM Competition Commission