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

1. The Parties hereby establish Contact Points to facilitate communication concerning the interpretation and implementation of this Chapter.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The Contact Points shall be responsible for ensuring communication with the relevant national institutions, as necessary, to carry out the objectives under this Chapter.
5. The Contact Points may communicate by electronic mail, video-conferencing or any other means decided on by the Parties.
6. 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;
   • For Canada:
     • Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
       Regional Trade Policy – Americas
     • or its successor.