Text of the Canada–Panama Free trade agreement – Chapter nineteen: Trade-related cooperation
Article 19.01: Objectives
Recognizing that trade-related cooperation is a catalyst for the reforms and investments necessary to foster trade-driven economic growth and adjustment to liberalized trade, the Parties agree to promote trade-related cooperation, with the following objectives:
- strengthening the capacities of the Parties to maximize the opportunities and benefits deriving from this Agreement;
- strengthening and developing cooperation at a bilateral, regional or multilateral level;
- fostering, in areas of mutual interest relating to science and technology and innovation, new trade and investment opportunities, thereby stimulating competitiveness and encouraging innovation, including dialogue and cooperation among their respective: academies of science; governmental organizations; non-governmental organizations; universities; colleges; centers and institutes for science, research and technology; and private sector enterprises or firms; and
- promoting sustainable economic development, with an emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 19.02: Contact Points
- The Parties hereby establish Contact Points to facilitate communication concerning the interpretation and implementation of this Chapter.
- Each Contact Point may share with the other an action plan outlining possible areas of trade-related cooperation to maximize the opportunities and benefits deriving from this Agreement.
- The Contact Points shall work jointly to establish guidelines for conducting their work and coordinate with other contact points and committees established under this Agreement, as required, on trade-related cooperation pursuant to the objectives of this Chapter.
- The Contact Points shall be responsible for ensuring communication with the relevant national institutions, as necessary, to carry out the objectives under this Chapter.
- The Contact Points may communicate by electronic mail, video-conferencing or any other means decided on by the Parties.
- The Contact Points are as follows:
- For Panama:
- Ministry of Trade and Industry
National Directorate for the Administration of International Trade Treaties and Trade Defence - or its successor;
- Ministry of Trade and Industry
- For Canada:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Regional Trade Policy – Americas - or its successor.
- Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
- For Panama:
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