Nicaragua - Taiwan Province of China FTA (2006)
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1. Each Party shall accord to investors of the other Party treatment no less favorable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to its own investors with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments in its territory.

2. Each Party shall accord to covered investments treatment no less favorable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investments in its territory of its own investors with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments.

Article 10.04. Most-Favored-Nation Treatment

1. A Party shall accord to investors of the other Party treatment no less favorable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investors of a non-Party with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments in its territory.

2. Each Party shall accord to covered investments treatment no less favorable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investments in its territory of investors of a non-Party with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments.

Article 10.05. Minimum Standard of Treatment  (1)

1. Each Party shall accord to covered investments treatment in accordance with customary international law, including fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security.

2. For greater certainty, paragraph 1 prescribes the customary international law minimum standard of treatment of aliens as the minimum standard of treatment to be afforded to covered investments. The concepts of "fair and equitable treatment" and "full protection and security" do not require treatment in addition to or beyond that which is required by that standard, and do not create additional substantive rights. The obligation in paragraph 1 to provide:

(a) "fair and equitable treatment" includes the obligation not to deny justice in criminal, civil, or administrative adjudicatory proceedings in accordance with the principle of due process embodied in the principal legal systems of the world; and

(b) "full protection and security" requires each Party to provide the level of police protection required under customary international law.

3. A determination that there has been a breach of another provision of this Agreement, or of a separate international agreement, does not establish that there has been a breach of this Article.

(1) Article 10.5 shall be interpreted in accordance with Annex 10-B.

Article 10.06. Treatment In Case of Strife

1. Notwithstanding Article 10.13.5(b), each Party shall accord to investors of the other Party, and to covered investments, non-discriminatory treatment with respect to measures it adopts or maintains relating to losses suffered by investments in its territory owing to armed conflict or civil strife.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, if an investor of a Party, in the situations referred to in paragraph 1, suffers a loss in the territory of the other Party resulting from:

(a) requisitioning of its covered investment or part thereof by the latter's forces or authorities; or

(b) destruction of its covered investment or part thereof by the latter's forces or authorities, which was not required by the necessity of the situation,

the latter Party shall provide the investor restitution or compensation, which in either case shall be in accordance with customary international law and, with respect to compensation, shall be in accordance with Article 10.07.2 through 10.07.4.

3. Paragraph 1 does not apply to existing measures relating to subsidies or grants that would be inconsistent with Article 10.03 but for Article 10.13.5(b).

Article 10.07. Expropriation and Compensation  (2)

1. No Party May Expropriate or Nationalize a Covered Investment Either Directly or Indirectly Through Measures Equivalent to Expropriation or Nationalization ("expropriation"), Except:

(a) for a public purpose (3);

(b) in a non-discriminatory manner;

(c) on payment of prompt, adequate, and effective compensation in accordance with paragraphs 2 through 4; and

(d) in accordance with due process of law and Article 10.05.

2. Compensation shall:

(a) be paid without delay;

(b) be equivalent to the fair market value of the expropriated investment immediately before the expropriation took place ("the date of expropriation");

(c) not reflect any change in value occurring because the intended expropriation had become known earlier; and

(d) be fully realizable and freely transferable.

3. If the fair market value is denominated in a freely usable currency, the compensation paid shall be no less than the fair market value on the date of expropriation, plus interest at a commercially reasonable rate for that currency, accrued from the date of expropriation until the date of payment.

4. If the fair market value is denominated in a currency that is not freely usable, the compensation paid - converted into the currency of payment at the market rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment - shall be no less than:

(a) the fair market value on the date of expropriation, converted into a freely usable currency at the market rate of exchange prevailing on that date, plus

(b) interest, at a commercially reasonable rate for that freely usable currency, accrued from the date of expropriation until the date of payment.

5. This Article does not apply to the issuance of compulsory licenses granted in relation to intellectual property rights in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement, or to the revocation, limitation, or creation of intellectual property rights, to the extent that such issuance, revocation, limitation, or creation is consistent with Chapter 17 (Intellectual Property Rights).(4)

(2) Article 10.07 shall be interpreted in accordance with Annexes 10-B and 10-C.
(3) For greater certainty, this term refers to a customary international law concept.
(4) For greater certainty, the reference to "the TRIPS Agreement" in paragraph 5 includes any waiver in force between the Parties of any provision of that Agreement granted by WTO Members in accordance with the WTO Agreement.

Article 10.08. Transfers

1. Each Party shall permit all transfers relating to a covered investment to be made freely and without delay into and out of its territory. Such transfers include:

(a) contributions to capital;

(b) profits, dividends, capital gains, and proceeds from the sale of all or any part of the covered investment or from the partial or complete liquidation of the covered investment;

(c) interest, royalty payments, management fees, and technical assistance and other fees;

(d) payments made under a contract, including a loan agreement;

(e) payments made pursuant to Article 10.06.1 and 10.06.2 and Article 10.07; and

(f) payments arising out of a dispute.

2. Each Party shall permit transfers relating to a covered investment to be made in a freely usable currency at the market rate of exchange prevailing at the time of transfer.

3. Each Party shall permit returns in kind relating to a covered investment to be made as authorized or specified in a written agreement between the Party and a covered investment or an investor of the other Party.

4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 through 3, a Party may prevent a transfer through the equitable, nondiscriminatory, and good faith application of its laws relating to:

(a) bankruptcy, insolvency, or the protection of the rights of creditors;

(b) issuing, trading, or dealing in securities, futures, options, or derivatives;

(c) criminal or penal offenses;

(d) financial reporting or record keeping of transfers when necessary to assist law enforcement or financial regulatory authorities; or

(e) ensuring compliance with orders or judgments in judicial or administrative proceedings.

Article 10.09. Performance Requirements

1. No Party may, in connection with the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, or sale or other disposition of an investment of an investor of a Party or of a non-Party in its territory, impose or enforce any of the following requirements, or enforce any commitment or undertaking:

(a) to export a given level or percentage of goods or services;

(b) to achieve a given level or percentage of domestic content;

(c) to purchase, use, or accord a preference to goods produced in its territory, or to purchase goods from persons in its territory;

(d) to relate in any way the volume or value of imports to the volume or value of exports or to the amount of foreign exchange inflows associated with such investment;

(e) to restrict sales of goods or services in its territory that such investment produces or supplies by relating such sales in any way to the volume or value of its exports or foreign exchange earnings;

(f) to transfer a particular technology, a production process, or other proprietary knowledge to a person in its territory; or

(g) to supply exclusively from the territory of the Party the goods that such investment produces or the services that it supplies to a specific regional market or to the world market.

2. No Party may condition the receipt or continued receipt of an advantage, in connection with the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, or sale or other disposition of an investment in its territory of an investor of a Party or of a non-Party, on compliance with any of the following requirements:

(a) to achieve a given level or percentage of domestic content;

(b) to purchase, use, or accord a preference to goods produced in its territory, or to purchase goods from persons in its territory;

(c) to relate in any way the volume or value of imports to the volume or value of exports or to the amount of foreign exchange inflows associated with such investment; or

(d) to restrict sales of goods or services in its territory that such investment produces or supplies by relating such sales in any way to the volume or value of its exports or foreign exchange earnings.

3. (a) Nothing in paragraph 2 shall be construed to prevent a Party from conditioning the receipt or continued receipt of an advantage, in connection with an investment in its territory of an investor of a Party or of a non-Party, on compliance with a requirement to locate production, supply a service, train or employ workers, construct or expand particular facilities, or carry out research and development, in its territory;

(b) Paragraph 1(f) does not apply:

(i) when a Party authorizes use of an intellectual property right in accordance with Article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement, or to measures requiring the disclosure of proprietary information that fall within the scope of, and are consistent with, Article 39 of the TRIPS Agreement (5); or

(ii) when the requirement is imposed or the commitment or undertaking is enforced by a court, administrative tribunal, or competition authority to remedy a practice determined after judicial or administrative process to be anticompetitive under the Party's competition laws (6).

(c) Provided that such measures are not applied in an arbitrary or unjustifiable manner, and provided that such measures do not constitute a disguised restriction on international trade or investment, paragraphs 1(b), (c), and (f), and 2(a) and (b), shall not be construed to prevent a Party from adopting or maintaining measures, including environmental measures:

(i) necessary to secure compliance with laws and regulations that are not inconsistent with this Agreement;

(ii) necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health; or

(iii) related to the conservation of living or non-living exhaustible natural resources;

(d) Paragraphs 1(a), (b), and (c), and 2(a) and (b), do not apply to qualification requirements for goods or services with respect to export promotion and foreign aid programs;

(e) Paragraphs 1(b), (c), (f), and (g), and 2(a) and (b), do not apply to procurement; and

(f) Paragraphs 2(a) and (b) do not apply to requirements imposed by an importing Party relating to the content of goods necessary to qualify for preferential tariffs or preferential quotas.

4. For greater certainty, paragraphs 1 and 2 do not apply to any requirement other than the requirements set out in those paragraphs.

5. This Article does not preclude enforcement of any commitment, undertaking, or requirement between private parties, where a Party did not impose or require the commitment, undertaking, or requirement.

(5) For greater certainty, the references to "the TRIPS Agreement" in paragraph 3(b)(i) include any waiver in force between the Parties of any provision of that Agreement granted by WTO Members in accordance with the WTO Agreement.
(6) The Parties recognize that a patent does not necessarily confer market power.

Article 10.10. Senior Management and Boards of Directors

1. No Party may require that an enterprise of that Party that is a covered investment appoint to senior management positions natural persons of any particular nationality.

2. A Party may require that a majority of the board of directors, or any committee thereof, of an enterprise of that Party that is a covered investment, be of a particular nationality, or resident in the territory of the Party, provided that the requirement does not materially impair the ability of the investor to exercise control over its investment.

Article 10.11. Investment and Environment

Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent a Party from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any measure otherwise consistent with this Chapter that it considers appropriate to ensure that investment activity in its territory is undertaken in a manner sensitive to environmental concerns.

Article 10.12. Denial of Benefit

Subject to Articles 20.03 (Notification and Provision of Information) and 22.05 (Consultations), a Party may deny the benefits under this Chapter to an investor of the other Party that is an enterprise of such other Party and to the investment of this investor, if investors of a non Party are owners of or control the enterprise and the enterprise has no substantial business activities in the territory of the Party under whose law it is constituted or organized.

Article 10.13. Non-Conforming Measures

1. Articles 10.03, 10.04, 10.09, and 10.10 do not apply to:

(a) any existing non-conforming measure that is maintained by a Party at:

(i) the central level of government, as set out by that Party in its Schedule to Annex |; or

(ii) a local level of government;

(b) the continuation or prompt renewal of any non-conforming measure referred to in subparagraph (a); or

(c) an amendment to any non-conforming measure referred to in subparagraph (a) to the extent that the amendment does not decrease the conformity of the measure, as it existed immediately before the amendment, with Articles 10.03, 10.04, 10.09, or 10.10.

2. Articles 10.03, 10.04, 10.09, and 10.10 do not apply to any measure that a Party adopts or maintains with respect to sectors, subsectors, or activities, as set out in its Schedule to Annex II.

3. No Party may, under any measure adopted after the date of entry into force of this Agreement and covered by its Schedule to Annex II, require an investor of the other Party, by reason of its nationality, to sell or otherwise dispose of an investment existing at the time the measure becomes effective.

4. Articles 10.03, 10.04, and 10.10 do not apply to:

(a) procurement; or

(b) subsidies or grants provided by a Party, including government-supported loans, guarantees, and insurance.

Article 10.14. Special Formalities and Information Requirements

1. Nothing in Article 10.03 shall be construed to prevent a Party from adopting or maintaining a measure that prescribes special formalities in connection with covered investments, such as a requirement that investors be residents of the Party or that covered investments be legally constituted under the laws or regulations of the Party, provided that such formalities do not materially impair the protections afforded by a Party to investors of the other Party and covered investments pursuant to this Chapter.

2. Notwithstanding Articles 10.03 and 10.04, a Party may require an investor of the other Party, or a covered investment, to provide information concerning that investment solely for informational or statistical purposes. The Party shall protect any confidential business information from any disclosure that would prejudice the competitive position of the investor or the covered investment. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent a Party from otherwise obtaining or disclosing information in connection with the equitable and good faith application of its law.

Section B. Investor-State Dispute Settlement

Article 10.15. Consultation and Negotiation

In the event of an investment dispute, the claimant and the respondent should initially seek to resolve the dispute through consultation and negotiation, which may include the use of non-binding, third-party procedures such as conciliation and mediation.

Article 10.16. Submission of a Claim to Arbitration

1. In the event that a disputing party considers that an investment dispute cannot be settled by consultation and negotiation:

(a) the claimant, on its own behalf, may submit to arbitration under this Section a claim;

(i) that the respondent has breached

(A) an obligation under Section A;

(B) an investment authorization;

(C) an investment agreement;

and

(ii) that the claimant has incurred loss or damage by reason of, or arising out of, that breach; and

(b) the claimant, on behalf of an enterprise of the respondent that is a juridical person that the claimant owns or controls directly or indirectly, may submit to arbitration under this Section a claim (i) that the respondent has breached

(A) an obligation under Section A;

(B) an investment authorization;

(C) an investment agreement;

and

(ii) that the enterprise has incurred loss or damage by reason of, or arising out of, that breach.

2. At least 90 days before submitting any claim to arbitration under this Section, a claimant shall deliver to the respondent a written notice of its intention to submit the claim to arbitration ("notice of intent"). The notice shall specify:

(a) the name and address of the claimant and, where a claim is submitted on behalf of an enterprise, the name, address, and place of incorporation of the enterprise;

(b) for each claim, the provision of this Agreement, investment authorization or investment agreement alleged to have been breached and any other relevant provisions;

(c) the legal and factual basis for each claim; and

(d) the relief sought and the approximate amount of damages claimed.

3. Provided that six months have elapsed since the events giving rise to the claim, a claimant may submit a claim referred to in paragraph 1:

(a) under the ICSID Convention and the ICSID Rules of Procedures for Arbitration Proceedings, provided that both the respondent and the Party of the claimant are parties to the ICSID Convention;

(b) under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules, provided that either the respondent or the Party of the claimant is a party to the ICSID Convention;

(c) under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules; or

(d) under the ICC Arbitration Rules.

4. A claim shall be deemed submitted to arbitration under this Section when the claimant's notice of or request for arbitration ("notice of arbitration"):

(a) referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 36 of the ICSID Convention is received by the Secretary-General;

(b) referred to in Article 2 of Schedule C of the ICSID Additional Facility Rules is received by the Secretary-General;

(c) referred to in Article 3 of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, together with the statement of claim referred to in Article 18 of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, are received by the respondent; or

(d) referred to in Article 4 of the ICC Arbitration Rules is received by the respondent.

A claim asserted for the first time after such notice of arbitration is submitted shall be deemed submitted to arbitration under this Section on the date of its receipt under the applicable arbitral rules.

5. The arbitration rules applicable under paragraph 3, and in effect on the date the claim or claims were submitted to arbitration under this Section, shall govern the arbitration except to the extent modified by this Agreement.

6. The claimant shall provide with the notice of arbitration:

(a) the name of the arbitrator that the claimant appoints; or

(b) the claimant's written consent for the Secretary-General to appoint such arbitrator.

Article 10.17. Consent to Arbitration

1. Each Party consents to the submission of a claim to arbitration under this Section in accordance with this Agreement.

2. The consent under paragraph 1 and the submission of a claim to arbitration under this Section shall satisfy the requirements of:

(a) Chapter II of the ICSID Convention (Jurisdiction of the Centre) and the ICSID Additional Facility Rules for written consent of the parties to the dispute; and

(b) Article Il of the New York Convention for an "agreement in writing".

Article 10.18. Conditions and Limitations on Consent of Each Party

1. No claim may be submitted to arbitration under this Section if more than three (3) years have elapsed from the date on which the claimant first acquired, or should have first acquired, knowledge of the breach alleged under Article 10.16.1 and knowledge that the claimant (for claims brought under Article 10.16.1(a)) or the enterprise (for claims brought under Article 10.16.1(b)) has incurred loss or damage.

  • Part   One General Aspects 1
  • Chapter   1 Initial Provisions 1
  • Article   1.01 Establishment of a Free Trade Area 1
  • Article   1.02 Objectives 1
  • Article   1.03 Relation to other Agreements 1
  • Article   1.04 Relation to other International Agreement In Environment and Conservation 1
  • Article   1.05 Extent of Obligations 1
  • Article   1.06 Successor Agreement 1
  • Chapter   2 General Definitions 1
  • Article   2.01 Definitions of General Application 1
  • Annex 2.01  Country-Specific Definitions 1
  • Part   Two Trade In Goods 1
  • Chapter   3 National Treatment and Market Access for Goods 1
  • Article   3.01 Scope and Coverage 1
  • Section   A National Treatment 1
  • Article   3.02 National Treatment 1
  • Section   B Customs Tariff Article 1
  • Article   3.03 Customs Tariff Elimination Schedule 1
  • Article   3.04 Waiver of Customs Duties 1
  • Article   3.05 Temporary Admission of Goods 1
  • Article   3.06 Duty-Free Entry of Commercial Samples of Negligible Value and Printed Advertising Materials 1
  • Article   3.07 Goods Re-imported after Repair or Alteration 1
  • Section   C Non-Tariff Measures 1
  • Article   3.09 Domestic Supports 1
  • Article   3.10 Exports Subsidies 1
  • Article   3.11 Import and Export Restrictions 1
  • Article   3.12 Administrative Fees and Formalities 2
  • Article   3.13 Export Taxes 2
  • Article   3.14 Obligations Under Intergovernmental Agreement 2
  • Article   3.15 Committee on Trade In Goods 2
  • Section   D Definitions 2
  • Article   3.16 Definitions 2
  • Chapter   4 Rules of Origin and Related Customs Procedures 2
  • Section   A Rules of Origin 2
  • Article   4.01 Application and Interpretation Instruments 2
  • Article   4.02 Originating Goods 2
  • Article   4.03 Minimal Operations or Processes 2
  • Article   4.05 Accumulation 2
  • Article   4.06 Regional Value Content 2
  • Article   4.07 De Minimis 2
  • Article   4.08 Fungible Goods and Materials 2
  • Article   4.09 Accessories, Spare Parts and Tools 2
  • Article   4.10 Sets or Assortments 2
  • Article   4.11 Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale 2
  • Article   4.12 Packing Materials and Containers for Shipment 2
  • Article   4.13 Transit and Transshipment 2
  • Section   Section B: Customs Procedures Related to Origin 2
  • Article   4.14 Certificate of Origin 2
  • Article   4.15 Obligations Regarding Importations 2
  • Article   4.16 Obligations Regarding Exportations 2
  • Article   4.17 Records 2
  • Article   4.18 Confidentiality 3
  • Article   4.19 Origin Verifications 3
  • Article   4.20 Advance Rulings 3
  • Article   4.21 Penalties 3
  • Article   4.22 Review and Appeal 3
  • Article   4.23 Definitions 3
  • Chapter   5 Trade Facilitation 3
  • Article   5.01 Objectives and Principles 3
  • Article   5.02 Specific Obligations 3
  • Article   5.03 Cooperation 3
  • Article   5.04 Future Work Program 4
  • Chapter   6 Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   6.01 Bilateral Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   6.02 Standards for a Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   6.03 Provisional Measures 4
  • Article   6.04 Administration of Safeguard Proceeding 4
  • Article   6.05 Notification and Consultations 4
  • Article   6.06 Compensation 4
  • Article   6.07 Global Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   6.08 Dispute Settlement on Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   6.09 Definitions 4
  • Chapter   7 Unfair Trade Practices 4
  • Article   7.01 Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties 4
  • Article   7.02 Consultations 4
  • Article   7.03 Standing of Domestic Industry 4
  • Article   7.04 Maximum Period for Completing on Investigation 4
  • Article   7.05 Duration of the Measures 4
  • Article   7.06 Modifications 4
  • Part   Three Technical Barriers to Trade 4
  • Chapter   8 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 4
  • Article   8.01 Objectives 4
  • Article   8.02 General Provisions 4
  • Article   8.03 International Standards and Harmonization 4
  • Article   8.04 Equivalence 4
  • Article   8.05 Assessment of Risk and Determination of the Appropriate Level of Sanitary or Phytosanitary Protection 4
  • Article   8.06 Recognition of Pest- or Disease-Free Areas and Areas of Low Pest or Disease Prevalence 4
  • Article   8.07 Control, Inspection and Approval Procedures 5
  • Article   8.08 Transparency 5
  • Article   8.09 Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 5
  • Article   8.10 Technical Cooperation 5
  • Article   8.11 Definitions 5
  • Chapter   9 Technical Barrier to Trade 5
  • Article   9.01 General Provisions 5
  • Article   9.02 Scope and Coverage 5
  • Article   9.03 Basic Rights and Obligations 5
  • Article   9.04 Risk Assessment 5
  • Article   9.05 Compatibility and Equivalence 5
  • Article   9.06 Trade Facilitation 5
  • Article   9.07 Conformity Assessment 5
  • Article   9.08 Authorization Procedures 5
  • Article   9.09 Metrology 5
  • Article   9.10 Notification 5
  • Article   9.11 Enquiry Point 5
  • Article   9.12 Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Authorization Procedures 5
  • Article   9.13 Technical Cooperation 5
  • Article   9.14 Definitions 5
  • Part   Four Investment, Services and Related Matters 5
  • Chapter   10 Investment 5
  • Section   A Investment 5
  • Article   10.01 Scope and Coverage 5
  • Article   10.02 Relation to other Chapters 5
  • Article   10.03 National Treatment 6
  • Article   10.04 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 6
  • Article   10.05 Minimum Standard of Treatment  (1) 6
  • Article   10.06 Treatment In Case of Strife 6
  • Article   10.07 Expropriation and Compensation  (2) 6
  • Article   10.08 Transfers 6
  • Article   10.09 Performance Requirements 6
  • Article   10.10 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 6
  • Article   10.11 Investment and Environment 6
  • Article   10.12 Denial of Benefit 6
  • Article   10.13 Non-Conforming Measures 6
  • Article   10.14 Special Formalities and Information Requirements 6
  • Section   B Investor-State Dispute Settlement 6
  • Article   10.15 Consultation and Negotiation 6
  • Article   10.16 Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 6
  • Article   10.17 Consent to Arbitration 6
  • Article   10.18 Conditions and Limitations on Consent of Each Party 6
  • Article   10.19 Selection of Arbitrators 7
  • Article   10.20 Conduct of the Arbitration 7
  • Article   10.21 Transparency of Arbitral Proceedings 7
  • Article   10.22 Governing Law 7
  • Article   10.23 Interpretation of Annexes 7
  • Article   10.24 Expert Reports 7
  • Article   10.25 Consolidation 7
  • Article   10.26 Awards 7
  • Article   10.27 Service of Documents 7
  • Section   C Definitions 7
  • Article   10.28 Definitions 7
  • Annex 10-A  Public Debt 8
  • Annex 10-B  Customary International Law 8
  • Annex 10-C  Expropriation 8
  • Annex 10-D  Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 8
  • Annex 10-E  Service of Documents on a Party under Section B 8
  • Chapter   11 Cross-Border Trade In Services 8
  • Article   11.01 Scope and Coverage 8
  • Article   11.02 National Treatment 8
  • Article   11.03 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 8
  • Article   11.04 Standard of Treatment 8
  • Article   11.05 Market Access 8
  • Article   11.06 Local Presence 8
  • Article   11.07 Non-conforming Measures 8
  • Article   11.08 Transparency In Developing and Applying Regulations  (3) 8
  • Article   11.09 Domestic Regulation 8
  • Article   11.10 Mutual Recognition 8
  • Article   11.11 Transfers and Payments 8
  • Article   11.12 Implementation 8
  • Article   11.13 Denial of Benefits 8
  • Article   11.14 Procedures 8
  • Article   11.15 Definitions 8
  • Chapter   12 Financial Services 8
  • Article   12.01 Scope and Coverage 8
  • Article   12.02 National Treatment 8
  • Article   12.03 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 9
  • Article   12.04 Market Access for Financial Institutions 9
  • Article   12.05 Cross-Border Trade 9
  • Article   12.06 New Financial Services  (1) 9
  • Article   12.07 Treatment of Certain Information 9
  • Article   12.08 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 9
  • Article   12.09 Non-Conforming Measures 9
  • Article   12.10 Exceptions 9
  • Article   12.11 Transparency 9
  • Article   12.12 Self-Regulatory Organizations 9
  • Article   12.13 Payment and Clearing Systems 9
  • Article   12.14 Domestic Regulation 9
  • Article   12.15 Expedited Availability of Insurance Services 9
  • Article   12.16 Committee on Financial Services 9
  • Article   12.17 Consultations 9
  • Article   12.18 Dispute Settlement 9
  • Article   12.19 Investment Disputes In Financial Services 9
  • Article   12.20 Consolidated Supervision 9
  • Article   12.21 Definitions 9
  • Annex 12.05.1  Cross-Border Trade 10
  • Section   A The Republic of Nicaragua 10
  • Section   B The Republic of China (Taiwan) 10
  • Annex 12.09.2  Specific Commitments 10
  • Section   A The Republic of Nicaragua 10
  • Section   B The Republic of China (Taiwan) 10
  • Annex 12.09.3  Additional Information Regarding Financial Services Measures 10
  • Section   A The Republic of Nicaragua 10
  • Section   B The Republic of China (Taiwan) 10
  • Annex 12.16.1  Committee on Financial Services 10
  • Chapter   13 Telecommunications 10
  • Article   13.01 Scope and Coverage 10
  • Article   13.02 Access to and Use of Public Telecommunications Services 10
  • Article   13.03 Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services (2) 10
  • Article   13.04 Additional Obligations Relating to Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services (5) 10
  • Article   13.05 Conditions for the Supply of Information Services 11
  • Article   13.06 Independent Regulatory Bodies and Government-Owned Telecommunications Suppliers (10) 11
  • Article   13.07 Universal Service 11
  • Article   13.08 Licenses and other Authorizations 11
  • Article   13.09 Allocation and Use of Scarce Resources 11
  • Article   13.10 Enforcement 11
  • Article   13.11 Resolution of Domestic Telecommunications Disputes 11
  • Article   13.12 Transparency 11
  • Article   13.13 Flexibility In the Choice of Technologies 11
  • Article   13.14 Forbearance 11
  • Article   13.15 Standards-Related Measures 11
  • Article   13.16 Technical Cooperation and other Consultations 11
  • Article   13.17 Relationship to other Chapters 11
  • Article   13.18 Definitions 11
  • Chapter   14 Electronic Commerce 11
  • Article   14.01 General 11
  • Article   14.02 Electronic Supply of Services 11
  • Article   14.03 Digital Products 11
  • Article   14.04 Transparency 12
  • Article   14.05 Cooperation 12
  • Article   14.06 Definitions 12
  • Chapter   15 Temporary Entry for Business Persons 12
  • Article   15.01 General Principles 12
  • Article   15.02 General Obligations 12
  • Article   15.03 Grant of Temporary Entry 12
  • Article   15.04 Provision of Information 12
  • Article   15.05 Dispute Settlement 12
  • Article   15.06 Definitions 12
  • Annex 5.03  Temporary Entry for Business Persons 12
  • Section   A Business Visitors 12
  • Section   B Traders and Investors 12
  • Section   C Intra-corporate Transferees 12
  • Annex 15.03(1)  Special Provision Regarding Temporary Entry of Business Persons For the Republic of Nicaragua: 12
  • Appendix 15.03(A)(1)  Business Vistors 12
  • Appendix 15.03(A)(3)  Existing Immigration Measures 12
  • Part   Five Competition Policy 12
  • Chapter   16 Competition Policy 12
  • Article   16.01 Objectives 12
  • Article   16.02 Free Competition Committee 12
  • Article   16.03 Monopolies 12
  • Article   16.04 State Enterprises 12
  • Article   16.5 Definitions 12
  • Part   Six Intellectual Property Rights 12
  • Chapter   17 Intellectual Property Rights 13
  • Section   A General Provisions 13
  • Article   17.01 General Provisions 13
  • Section   B Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 13
  • Article   17.02 General Obligations 13
  • Section   C Application 13
  • Article   17.03 Relation with other Agreements 13
  • Article   17.04 Applications 13
  • Article   17.05 Transparency 13
  • Section   D Intellectual Property Committee 13
  • Article   17.06 Intellectual Property Committee 13
  • Section   E Trademarks, Geographical Indications, and Domain Names 13
  • Article   17.07 Trademarks 13
  • Article   17.08 Well-known Marks 13
  • Article   17.09 "Telle Quelle" Marks 13
  • Article   17.10 Geographical Indications 13
  • Article   17.11 Procedures with Respect to Geographical Indications 13
  • Article   17.12 Domain Names on the Internet 13
  • Section   F Patents, New Varieties of Plants and Regulated Products 13
  • Article   17.13 Patents 13
  • Article   17.14 New Varieties of Plants 13
  • Article   17.15 Regulated Products 13
  • Section   G Copyright and Related Rights 13
  • Article   17.16 Obligations Pertaining to Copyright and Related Rights 13
  • Section   H Collective Rights, Protection of Folklore and Genetic Resources 13
  • Article   17.17 Protection of Traditional Knowledge 13
  • Article   17.18 Protection of Folklore 13
  • Article   17.19 Relation between Access to Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property 13
  • Section   I Border Measures 13
  • Article   17.20 Application of Border Measures 13
  • Section   J Cooperation on Intellectual Property 13
  • Article   17.21 Technical Cooperation 13
  • Annex 17.06  Intellectual Property Committee 13
  • Part   Seven Labor & Environment 13
  • Chapter   18 Labor 13
  • Article   18.01 Statement of Shared Commitment 13
  • Article   18.02 Enforcement of Labor Laws 13
  • Article   18.03 Procedural Guarantees and Public Awareness 13
  • Article   18.04 Institutional Arrangements 13
  • Article   18.05 Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism 13
  • Article   18.06 Principles of Corporate Stewardship 13
  • Article   18.07 Cooperative Labor Consultations 13
  • Article   18.08 Definitions 13
  • Annex 18.01  Labor Principles 13
  • Annex 18.05  Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism 14
  • Chapter   19 Environment 14
  • Article   19.01 Levels of Protection 14
  • Article   19.02 Enforcement of Environmental Laws 14
  • Article   19.03 Procedural Matters 14
  • Article   19.04 Voluntary Mechanisms to Enhance Environmental Performance 14
  • Article   19.05 Principles of Corporate Stewardship 14
  • Article   19.06 Environmental Affairs Committee 14
  • Article   19.07 Opportunities for Public Participation 14
  • Article   19.08 Environmental Cooperation 14
  • Article   19.09 Environmental Consultations 14
  • Article   19.10 Relationship to Environmental Agreements 14
  • Article   19.11 Definitions 14
  • Annex 19.08  Environmental Cooperation Mechanism 14
  • Part   Eight Administrative and Institutional Provisions 15
  • Chapter   20 Transparency 15
  • Section   A Transparency 15
  • Article   20.01 Contact Points 15
  • Article   20.02 Publication 15
  • Article   20.03 Notification and Provision of Information 15
  • Article   20.04 Administrative Proceedings 15
  • Article   20.05 Review and Appeal 15
  • Article   20.06 Definitions 15
  • Section   B Anti-Corruption 15
  • Article   20.07 Statement of Principle 15
  • Article   20.08 Anti-Corruption Measures 15
  • Article   20.09 Cooperation In International Fora 15
  • Article   20.10 Definitions 15
  • Chapter   21 Administration of the Agreement 15
  • Article   21.01 The Free Trade Commission 15
  • Article   21.02 Free Trade Agreement Coordinators 15
  • Article   21.03 Administration of Dispute Settlement Proceedings 15
  • Annex 21.01  The Free Trade Commission 15
  • Annex 21.02  Free Trade Agreement Coordinators 15
  • Annex 21.03  Remuneration and Payment of Expenses 15
  • Chapter   22 Dispute Settlement 15
  • Section   A Dispute Settlement 15
  • Article   22.01 Cooperation 15
  • Article   22.02 Scope of Application 15
  • Article   22.03 Choice of Forum 15
  • Article   22.04 Urgent Cases 15
  • Article   22.05 Consultations 15
  • Article   22.06 Commission - Good Offices, Conciliation, and Mediation 15
  • Article   22.07 Request for Establishment of an Arbitration Group 15
  • Article   22.08 Roster 15
  • Article   22.09 Qualifications of Panelists 16
  • Article   22.10 Arbitral Group Selection 16
  • Article   22.11 Model Rules of Procedure 16
  • Article   22.12 Role of Experts 16
  • Article   22.13 Preliminary Report 16
  • Article   22.14 Final Report 16
  • Article   22.15 Implementation of Final Report 16
  • Article   22.16 Suspension of Benefits 16
  • Article   22.17 Compliance Review 16
  • Section   B Domestic Proceedings and Private Commercial Dispute Settlement 16
  • Article   22.18 Referral of Matters from Judicial or Administrative Proceedings 16
  • Article   22.19 Private Rights 16
  • Article   22.20 Alternative Dispute Resolution 16
  • Annex 22.02  Nullification or Impairment 16
  • Annex 22.11.(a)(c)  Model Rules of Procedure, Public Access to Documents and Public Hearings 16
  • Annex 22.11.1(d)  Model Rules of Procedure, Non-governmental Entity Participation 16
  • Annex 22.11.1(e)  Model Rules of Procedure, Confidential Information Confidential Information 16
  • Chapter   23 Exceptions 17
  • Article   23.01 General Exceptions 17
  • Article   23.02 National Security 17
  • Article   23.03 Taxation 17
  • Article   23.04 Balance of Payments 17
  • Article   23.05 Disclosure of Information 17
  • Article   23.06 Definitions 17
  • Annex 23.03  Competent Authorities 17
  • Chapter   24 Final Provisions 17
  • Article   24.01 Annexes, Appendices, and Footnotes 17
  • Article   24.02 Amendments 17
  • Article   24.03 Reservations 17
  • Article   24.04 Entry Into Force 17
  • Article   24.05 Accession 17
  • Article   24.06 Withdrawal 17
  • Article   24.07 Authentic Texts 17
  • Annex II  Schedule of the Republic of Nicaragua 17
  • Annex I  Schedule of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 18