TPP - Chapter 22 - Competitiveness and Business Facilitation

CHAPTER 22

COMPETITIVENESS AND BUSINESS FACILITATION

Article 22.1: Definitions

In this Chapter:

Supply chain means a cross-border network of businesses operating together as an integrated system serving the design, development, production, purchase, sale, distribution, transportation, and provision of products and services to customers.

Article 22.2: Committee on Competitiveness and Business Facilitation

1.      The Parties acknowledge that to enhance the economic competitiveness of the Parties domestically, regionally, and globally, and to promote economic integration and development in the free trade area, the business environment of the parties must keep up with market developments.

2.      The Parties agree to establish a Committee on Competitiveness and Business Facilitation (hereinafter referred to as the Committee), comprising government representatives from each Party.

3.      Responsibilities of the Committee:

(a) discuss effective approaches and develop shared information activities to support efforts to establish a competitive environment conducive to enterprise creation, promote trade and investment between parties, and encourage economic integration and development in the free trade area;

(b) seek ways to exploit the trade and investment opportunities created by this Agreement;

(c) advise and make recommendations to the Commission on ways to further enhance the competitiveness of the economies of the parties, including recommendations to increase the participation of SMEs in the regional supply chain;

(d) seek ways to promote the development and strengthening of regional supply chains in the free trade area as provided in Article 22.3 (Supply Chains); and

(e) engage in other activities as decided by the parties.

4.      The Committee shall meet within one year from the date this Agreement enters into force and shall hold subsequent meetings as necessary.

5.      In carrying out its functions, the Committee may work with other committees, working groups, and subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement. The Committee may also seek advice and consider the work of relevant experts, such as international funding organizations, businesses, and non-governmental organizations.

Article 22.3: Supply Chains

1.      The Committee shall explore ways to implement this Agreement to promote the development and strengthening of supply chains to integrate production, facilitate trade, and reduce business costs in the free trade area.

2.      The Committee shall develop recommendations and promote workshops or other capacity-building activities with relevant experts, including the private sector and international funding organizations, to support the participation of SMEs in regional supply chains.

3.      Where appropriate, the Committee shall work with other committees, working groups, and subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement, including through joint meetings, to identify and discuss measures affecting the development and strengthening of supply chains. The Committee shall ensure that its activities do not duplicate the activities of other bodies.

4.      The Committee shall identify and explore practices and experiences related to the development and strengthening of supply chains among the Parties.

5.      The Committee shall begin reviewing the conditions this Agreement creates for the development, strengthening, and operation of supply chains in the free trade area in the fourth year from the date this Agreement enters into force. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the Committee shall conduct additional reviews every five years.

6.      In conducting its review, the Committee shall consider the views of relevant stakeholders received by a Party as stipulated in Article 22.4 (Engagement with Interested Parties) and provide them to the Committee.

7.      Not later than two years after the commencement of a review under paragraph 5, the Committee shall present a report to the TPP Commission with its findings and recommendations on how the parties may promote and strengthen the development of supply chains in the free trade area.

8.      After reviewing the Committee's report, the Commission shall publicly disclose the report, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

Article 22.4: Engagement with Interested Parties

The Committee shall establish appropriate mechanisms to provide continuing opportunities for the interested parties of the parties to submit comments on matters related to enhancing competitiveness and business facilitation.

Article 22.5: Exemption from Dispute Settlement Provisions

No Party may invoke the dispute settlement provisions under Chapter 28 (Dispute Settlement) for any matter arising under this Chapter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TPP - Chapter 00 - Preamble

TPP - Chapter 01 - General Provisions and Definitions

TPP - Chapter 02 - National Treatment and Market Access for Goods

TPP - Chapter 03 - Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures

TPP - Chapter 04 - Textiles and Apparel

TPP - Chapter 05 - Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation

TPP - Chapter 06 - Trade Remedies

TPP - Chapter 07 - Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

TPP - Chapter 08 - Technical Barriers to Trade

TPP - Chapter 09 - Investment

TPP - Chapter 10 - Cross-Border Trade in Services

TPP - Chapter 11 - Financial Services

TPP - Chapter 12 - Temporary Entry for Business Persons

TPP - Chapter 13 - Telecommunications

TPP - Chapter 14 - Electronic Commerce

TPP - Chapter 15 - Government Procurement

TPP - Chapter 16 - Competition Policy

TPP - Chapter 17 - State-Owned Enterprises and Designated Monopolies

TPP - Chapter 18 - Intellectual Property

TPP - Chapter 19 - Labor

TPP - Chapter 20 - Environment

TPP - Chapter 21 - Cooperation and Capacity Building

TPP - Chapter 22 - Competitiveness and Business Facilitation

TPP - Chapter 23 - Development

TPP - Chapter 24 - Small and Medium Enterprises

TPP - Chapter 25 - Regulatory Coherence

TPP - Chapter 26 - Transparency and Anti-Corruption

TPP - Chapter 27 - Administrative and Institutional Provisions

TPP - Chapter 28 - Dispute Settlement

TPP - Chapter 29 - Exceptions and General Provisions

TPP - Chapter 30 - Final Provisions

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