Article 16. Transparency
1. Each Party shall endeavour to ensure that when its telecommunications regulatory body seeks input on a proposal for a law or regulation, that body provides relevant suppliers of public telecommunications networks or services of another Party operating in its territory an opportunity to comment.
2. Each Party shall ensure that relevant information on conditions affecting access to and use of public telecommunications networks or services is publicly available, including:
(a) tariffs and other terms and conditions of service;
(b) specifications of technical interfaces with such networks and services;
(c) information on bodies responsible for the preparation and adoption of standards affecting such access and use;
(d) conditions for attaching terminal or other equipment; and
(e) requirements for notification or licensing, if any.
Article 17. Relation to International Organisations
The Parties recognise the importance of international standards for global compatibility and inter-operability of telecommunications networks and services and undertake to promote such standards through the work of relevant international bodies, including the International Telecommunication Union and the International Organization for Standardization.
Article 18. International Submarine Cable Systems
1. Where a Party has authorised a supplier of public telecommunications networks or services in its territory to operate an international submarine cable system as a public telecommunications network or service, that Party shall ensure that such supplier accords the suppliers of public telecommunications networks or services of another Party reasonable and non-discriminatory treatment for access to the international submarine cable system. (8) (9) (10)
Article 19. Unbundling of Network Elements
Each Party shall endeavour to ensure that a major supplier in its territory offers access to network elements on an unbundled basis on terms and conditions that are reasonable, non-discriminatory, and transparent for the supply of public telecommunications services. A Party may determine the network elements required to be made available in its territory, and the suppliers that may obtain those elements, in accordance with its laws and regulations. (11)
Article 20. Access to Poles, Ducts, and Conduits
1. Each Party shall endeavour to ensure that a major supplier in its territory provides access to poles, ducts, conduits, or any other structures as determined by the Party, owned or controlled by the major supplier, to suppliers of public telecommunications services of another Party in the Party's territory, on a timely basis, and on terms and conditions and at rates that are reasonable, non- discriminatory, and transparent, subject to technical feasibility.
2. A Party may determine, in accordance with its laws and regulations, the poles, ducts, conduits, or any other structures to which it requires major suppliers in its territory to provide access in accordance with paragraph 1. When the Party makes this determination, it shall take into account factors such as the competitive effect of lack of such access, whether such structures can be substituted in an economically or technically feasible manner in order to provide a competitive service, or other specified public interest factors.
Article 21. Flexibility In the Choice of Technology
1. A Party shall not prevent suppliers of public telecommunications networks or services from having the flexibility to choose the technologies that they use to supply their services.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, a Party may apply a measure that limits the technologies that a supplier of public telecommunications networks or services may use to supply its services, provided that the measure is designed to achieve a legitimate public policy objective and is not prepared, adopted, or applied in a manner that creates unnecessary obstacles to trade.
Article 22. International Mobile Roaming
1. The Parties shall endeavour to cooperate on promoting transparent and reasonable rates for international mobile roaming services that can help promote the growth of trade among the Parties and enhance consumer welfare.
2. A Party may take steps to enhance transparency and competition with respect to international mobile roaming services, such as:
(a) ensuring that information regarding retail rates is easily accessible to consumers; and
(b) minimising impediments to roaming, whereby consumers when visiting the territory of a Party from the territory of another Party can access telecommunications services using the device of their choice.
3. The Parties recognise that a Party, where it has the authority to do so, may choose to promote competition with respect to international mobile roaming rates including through commercial arrangements, or to adopt or maintain measures affecting rates for wholesale or retail international roaming services with a view to ensuring that the rates are reasonable. If a Party considers it appropriate, it may cooperate on and implement mechanisms with other Parties to facilitate the implementation of those measures, including by entering into arrangements with those Parties.
4. If a Party (hereinafter referred to as "the first Party" in this paragraph) chooses to regulate rates or conditions for wholesale or retail international mobile roaming services, it shall ensure that a supplier of public telecommunications services of another Party (hereinafter referred to as "the second Party" in this paragraph) has access to the regulated rates or conditions for wholesale or retail international mobile roaming services for its customers roaming in the territory of the first Party if the second Party has entered into an arrangement with the first Party to reciprocally regulate rates or conditions for wholesale or retail international mobile roaming services for suppliers of the two Parties. (12) The first Party may require suppliers of the second Party to fully utilise commercial negotiations to reach agreement on the terms for accessing such rates or conditions.
5. A Party that ensures access to regulated rates or conditions for wholesale or retail international mobile roaming services in accordance with paragraph 4, shall be deemed to be in compliance with Article 8.6 (Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment), Article 4 (Access and Use), and Article 7 (Treatment by Major Suppliers), with respect to international mobile roaming services.
6. Nothing in this Article shall require a Party to regulate rates or conditions for international mobile roaming services.
Article 23. Resolution of Telecommunications Disputes
1. Each Party shall ensure that a supplier of public telecommunications networks or services of another Party may have timely recourse to its telecommunications regulatory body or dispute resolution body to resolve disputes arising under this Annex in accordance with its laws and regulations.
2. Each Party shall ensure that any supplier of public telecommunications networks or services aggrieved by a final determination or decision of its relevant telecommunications regulatory body may obtain a review of such determination or decision in accordance with its laws and regulations.
3. No Party shall permit the making of an application for review to constitute grounds for non-compliance with the determination or decision of its telecommunications regulatory body, unless its relevant body determines otherwise.
ANNEX 8C. Professional services
1. Each Party shall consult with relevant bodies in its territory to seek to identify professional services where two or more Parties are mutually interested in establishing dialogue on issues that relate to the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, or registration.
2. Each Party shall encourage its relevant bodies to establish dialogues with the relevant bodies of another Party or Parties, with a view to recognising professional qualifications and facilitating licensing or registration procedures.
3. Each Party shall encourage its relevant bodies to negotiate with the relevant bodies of another Party or Parties on any form of arrangements for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, or registration in professional services sectors of mutual interest.
4. Each Party shall encourage its relevant bodies to take into account agreements that relate to professional services in the development of agreements on the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, and registration.
5. A Party may consider, if feasible, based on a foreign service supplier's home licence or recognised professional body membership, without the need for further written examination:
(a) taking steps to implement a temporary or project specific licensing or registration regime; or
(b) granting such licence or registration, if appropriate.
That temporary or limited licence regime should not operate to prevent a foreign service supplier from gaining a local licence once that service supplier satisfies the applicable local licensing requirements.
6. To facilitate the activities referred to in paragraphs 1 through 3, each Party shall encourage its relevant bodies to work towards the development of mutually acceptable professional standards and criteria in mutually accepted areas, which may include:
(a) education;
(b) examinations;
(c) experience;
(d) conduct and ethics;
(e) professional development and re-certification;
(A scope of practice;
(g) local knowledge; and
(h) consumer protection.
7. On request of another Party, the requested Party shall, where practicable, provide information concerning standards and criteria for the licensing and certification of professional service suppliers, or otherwise provide information relating to the appropriate regulatory or other body to consult regarding these standards and criteria.
8. Each Party shall encourage its relevant bodies to refer to international frameworks, where applicable, in developing common standards and criteria for the relevant professions.
9. The Parties may periodically review the implementation of this Annex through the Committee on Services and Investment.
Chapter 9. Temporary Movement of Natural Persons
Article 9.1. Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter:
(a) immigration formality means a visa, permit, pass, or other document, or electronic authority, granting temporary entry;
(b) natural person of a Party means a natural person of a Party as defined in subparagraph (i) of Article 8.1 (Definitions); and
(c) temporary entry means entry by a natural person of a Party as covered by this Chapter without the intent to establish permanent residence.
Article 9.2. Scope
1. This Chapter shall apply, as set out in each Party's Schedule in Annex IV (Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons), to measures by that Party affecting the temporary entry of natural persons of another Party into the territory of the Party, where such persons are engaged in trade in goods, the supply of services, or the conduct of investment. Such persons shall include one or more of the following:
(a) business visitors;
(b) intra-corporate transferees; or
(c) other categories as may be specified in each Party's Schedule in Annex IV (Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons).
2. This Chapter shall not apply to measures affecting natural persons seeking access to the employment market of a Party, nor shall it apply to measures regarding nationality, citizenship, residence or employment on a permanent basis.
3. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent a Party from applying measures to regulate the entry of natural persons of another Party into, or their temporary stay in, its territory, including those measures necessary to protect the integrity of, and to ensure the orderly movement of natural persons across, its borders, provided that those measures are not applied in a manner as to nullify or impair the benefits accruing to any Party under this Chapter.
4. The sole fact that a Party requires natural persons of another Party to obtain an immigration formality shall not be regarded as nullifying or impairing the benefits accruing to any Party under this Chapter.
Article 9.3. Spouses and Dependants
Each Party may make commitments on spouses or dependants in its Schedule in Annex IV (Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons).
Article 9.4. Grant of Temporary Entry
1. Each Party shall, in accordance with its Schedule in Annex IV (Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons), grant temporary entry or extension of temporary stay in accordance with this Chapter to natural persons of another Party, provided that those natural persons:
(a) follow prescribed application procedures for the immigration formality sought; and
(b) meet all relevant eligibility requirements for temporary entry into, or extension of temporary stay in, the granting Party.
2. In accordance with its laws and regulations, any fees imposed by a Party in respect of the processing of an immigration formality shall be reasonable in that they do not, in themselves, represent an unjustifiable impediment to the movement of natural persons of another Party under this Chapter.
3. A Party may deny temporary entry or extension of temporary stay to any natural person of another Party who does not comply with subparagraph 1(a) or (b).
4. The sole fact that a Party grants temporary entry to a natural person of another Party pursuant to this Chapter shall not be construed to exempt that natural person from meeting any applicable licensing or other requirements, including any mandatory codes of conduct, to practise a profession or otherwise engage in business activities.
Article 9.5. Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons
Each Party shall set out in its Schedule in Annex IV (Schedules of Specific Commitments on Temporary Movement of Natural Persons) its commitments for the temporary entry into and temporary stay in its territory of natural persons of another Party covered by Article 9.2 (Scope). These Schedules shall specify the conditions and limitations governing those commitments, including the length of stay, for each category of natural persons included therein. (1)
Article 9.6. Processing of Applications
1. Where an application for an immigration formality is required by a Party, that Party shall process, as expeditiously as possible, complete applications for immigration formalities or extensions thereof received from natural persons of another Party covered by Article 9.2 (Scope).
2. Each Party shall, upon request and within a reasonable period after receiving a complete application for an immigration formality from a natural person of another Party covered by Article 9.2 (Scope), notify the applicant of:
(a) the receipt of the application; and
(b) the decision concerning the application including, if approved, the period of stay and other conditions.
3. Each Party shall, upon request and within a reasonable period after receiving a complete application for an immigration formality from a natural person of another Party covered by Article 9.2 (Scope), endeavour to notify the applicant of the status of the application.
4. To the extent permissible under its laws and regulations, each Party shall endeavour to accept applications for immigration formalities in electronic format under the equivalent conditions of authenticity as paper submissions.
5. Where appropriate, each Party shall accept copies of documents authenticated in accordance with its laws and regulations in place of original documents, to the extent its laws and regulations permit.
Article 9.7. Transparency
1. Each Party shall:
(a) publish or otherwise make publicly available explanatory material on all relevant immigration formalities which pertain to or affect the operation of this Chapter;
(b) publish or otherwise make publicly available in its territory and to the other Parties, the requirements for temporary entry under this Chapter, including explanatory material and relevant forms and documents that will enable natural persons of the other Parties to become acquainted with those requirements;
(c) upon modifying or amending any immigration measure that affects temporary entry of natural persons of another Party, ensure that the information published or otherwise made publicly available pursuant to subparagraph (b) is updated as soon as possible; and
(d) maintain mechanisms to respond to enquiries from interested persons regarding its laws and regulations affecting the temporary entry and temporary stay of natural persons.
2. Each Party shall endeavour to publish, to the extent practicable, the information referred to in paragraph 1 in the English language.
Article 9.8. Cooperation
The Parties may discuss mutually agreed areas of cooperation to further facilitate the temporary entry and temporary stay of natural persons of the other Parties, which shall take into consideration areas proposed by the Parties during the course of negotiations or other areas as may be identified by the Parties.
Article 9.9. Dispute Settlement
1. Parties shall endeavour to settle any differences arising out of the implementation of this Chapter through consultations.
2. No Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 19 (Dispute Settlement) regarding a refusal to grant temporary entry unless:
(a) the matter involves a pattern of practice; and
(b) the natural persons affected have exhausted all available administrative remedies regarding the particular matter.
3. For the purposes of subparagraph 2(b), the administrative remedies shall be deemed to be exhausted if a final determination in the matter has not been issued by the other Party within a reasonable period of time after the date of institution of the proceedings for the remedy, including any proceedings for review or appeal, and the failure to issue such a determination is not attributable to delays caused by the natural persons concerned.
Chapter 10. Investment
Article 10.1. Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter:
(a) covered investment means, with respect to a Party, an investment in its territory of an investor of another Party in existence as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement or established, acquired, or expanded thereafter, and which, where applicable, has been admitted (1) (2) by the host Party, subject to its relevant laws, regulations, and policies; (3)
(b) freely usable currency means a freely usable currency as determined by the IMF under the IMF Articles of Agreement as may be amended;
(c) investment means every kind of asset that an investor owns or controls, directly or indirectly, and that has the characteristics of an investment, including such characteristics as the commitment of capital or other resources, the expectation of gains or profits, or the assumption of risk. Forms that an investment may take include:
(i) shares, stocks, and other forms of equity participation in a juridical person, including rights derived therefrom;
(ii) bonds, debentures, loans, (4) and other debt instruments of a juridical person and rights derived therefrom; (5)
(iii) rights under contracts, including turnkey, construction, management, production, or revenue- sharing contracts;
(iv) intellectual property rights and goodwill, which are recognised pursuant to the laws and regulations of the host Party;
(v) claims to money or to any contractual performance related to a business and having financial value; (6)
(vi) rights conferred pursuant to the laws and regulations of the host Party or contracts, such as concessions, licences, authorisations, and permits, including those for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources; and
(vii) movable and immovable property, and other property rights, such as leases, mortgages, liens, or pledges. (7)
The term "investment" does not include an order or judgment entered in a judicial or administrative action or an arbitral proceeding.
For the purposes of the definition of investment in this subparagraph, returns that are invested shall be treated as an investment and any alteration of the form in which assets are invested or reinvested shall not affect their character as an investment;
(d) investor of a non-Party means, with respect to a Party, an investor that seeks to make, (8) is making, or has made an investment in the territory of that Party, that is not an investor of a Party;
(e) investor of a Party means a natural person of a Party or a juridical person of a Party that seeks to make, (9) is making, or has made an investment in the territory of another Party;
(f) juridical person means any entity constituted or organised under applicable law, whether or not for profit, and whether private or governmental, including any corporation, trust, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, association or similar organisation, and a branch of a juridical person; (10) (11) (12)
(g) juridical person of a Party means a juridical person constituted or organised under the law of that Party, and a branch located in the territory of that Party and carrying out business activities there; (13) (14) (15)
(h) measure by a Party means any measure adopted or maintained by:
(i) central, regional, or local governments and authorities of that Party; and
(ii) non-governmental bodies in the exercise of powers delegated by central, regional, or local governments or authorities of that Party; and
(i) natural person of a Party means, for the purposes of subparagraph (e), a natural person who under the law of that Party:
(i) is a national or citizen of that Party; or
(ii) has the right of permanent residence in that Party, where both that Party and another Party recognise permanent residents and accord substantially the same treatment to their respective permanent residents as they accord to their respective nationals in respect of measures affecting investment.
Article 10.2. Scope
1. This Chapter shall apply to measures adopted or maintained by a Party relating to: