3. The Parties acknowledge the important contribution by women to economic growth through their participation in economic activities, including international trade, global value chains, the labour market, business leadership, and entrepreneurship, that allow women to achieve economic autonomy and act as engines of economic activation and recovery.
4. The Parties recognize that inclusive trade policies can contribute to advancing on women’s economic empowerment, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
Article 14.2. Objectives
The Parties aim to:
(a) enhance their bilateral trade relations, cooperation, and dialogue in ways that are conducive to equal opportunities and treatment for women and men, as workers, producers, traders, or consumers, in accordance with their international commitments;
(b) facilitate cooperation and dialogue with the aim of enhancing women’s capacity, conditions, and access to opportunities created by trade, and
(c) further improve their capacities to address trade-related women issues, including through the exchange of information and best practices.
Article 14.3. General Provisions
1. Each Party shall strive to ensure that its relevant laws, regulations and policies provide for, and promote, equal rights treatment and opportunities between men and women, in accordance with their international commitments. Each Party shall strive to improve such laws, regulations and policies.
2. The Parties should endeavour to take steps towards promoting women’s economic empowerment in trade and in the workplace, including through the promotion of labour practices that facilitate the integration, retention, and progression of women in the labour market, and seek to build the capacity and skills of women workers.
Article 14.4. Cooperation Activities
1. The Parties acknowledge the benefit of collaboration and affirm their willingness to share their respective experiences in promoting opportunities for women to participate in trade, as and when agreed by both Parties. Areas of cooperation may include, but are not limited to:
(a) improving women’s access, participation, leadership, and education, in particular in fields in which they are underrepresented such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), as well as innovation, e- commerce, and any other field related to trade;
(b) fostering women’s entrepreneurship, including activities to promote the internationalization of small and medium enterprises led by women;
(c) advancing the development of women’s leadership and business networks;
(d) promoting business development services for women to improve women’s digital skills and access to online business tools;
(e) promoting financial inclusion and literacy, access to relevant financing, and financial assistance;
(f) developing trade missions for businesswomen and women entrepreneurs, and
(g) any other areas agreed by the Parties.
2. The Parties shall encourage inclusive participation of women in the implementation of the cooperation activities established under this Article, as appropriate.
3. The Parties recognize the importance of women’s economic empowerment as part of the Parties’ trade and investment relationship. Accordingly, the Parties underline their intention to implement the provisions of this Agreement in a manner that upholds this principle.
Article 14.5. Contact Points
1. In order to facilitate communication between the Parties for the purposes of this Chapter, each Party shall designate a contact point within six months of the date of entry into force of this Agreement:
(a) for Chile, the contact point shall be within its Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations or its Ministry of Women and Gender Equity or their successors, and
(b) for the UAE, the contact point shall be within its Gender Balance Council and its Ministry of Economy or their successors.
2. The contact points shall meet every year, unless otherwise agreed, in person or by any available technological means.
3. Each Party shall notify the other Party of the designation of the contact point and, as soon as possible, of any changes thereto. The contact points shall:
(a) facilitate communication and coordination between the Parties, with respect to this Chapter;
(b) act as a channel of communication with the public in their respective territories;
(c) discuss joint proposals to support policies on trade and women;
(d) work jointly, including with other appropriate agencies of their governments, to develop and implement activities, a work plan, and areas of cooperation, and
(e) report to the Joint Committee.
Article 14.6. Non-Application of Dispute Settlement
Neither Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 18 (Dispute Settlement) for any matter arising under this Chapter.
Chapter 15. SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES
Article 15.1. General Principles
1. The Parties, recognizing the fundamental role of small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) in maintaining dynamism and enhancing competitiveness of their respective economies, shall foster close cooperation among SMEs of the Parties and cooperate in promoting jobs and growth of SMEs.
2. The Parties recognize the important role of the private sector in the cooperation on SMEs to be implemented under this Chapter.
Article 15.2. Cooperation to Increase Trade and Investment Opportunities for SMEs
With a view to more robust cooperation between the Parties to enhance commercial opportunities for SMEs, each Party shall seek to increase trade and investment opportunities for SMEs, and in particular shall:
(a) promote cooperation between the Parties’ small business support infrastructure, including dedicated SME centers, incubators and accelerators, export assistance centers, and other centers as appropriate, to create an international network for sharing best practices, exchanging market research, and promoting SME participation in international trade, as well as business growth in local markets;
(b) strengthen its collaboration with the other Party on activities to promote SMEs owned by women and youth, as well as start-ups, and promote partnerships among these SMEs and their participation in international trade;
(c) enhance cooperation with the other Party to exchange information and best practices in areas including improving the access of SMEs to capital and credit, the participation of SMEs in covered government procurement opportunities under this Agreement, and helping SMEs adapt to changing market conditions, and
(d) encourage participation in purpose-built mobile or web-based platforms for business entrepreneurs and counsellors to share information and best practices to help SMEs link with international suppliers, buyers, and other potential business partners.
Article 15.3. Information Sharing
1. Each Party shall establish or maintain its own free and publicly accessible website containing information regarding this Agreement, including:
(a) the text of this Agreement;
(b) a summary of this Agreement, and
(c) information designed for SMEs that contains:
(i) a description of the provisions in this Agreement that the Party considers to be relevant to SMEs, and
(ii) any additional information that the Party considers useful for SMEs interested in benefitting from the opportunities provided by this Agreement.
2. Each Party shall include in its website links or information through automated electronic transfer to:
(a) the equivalent websites of the other Party, and
(b) the websites of its own government agencies and other appropriate entities that provide information the Party considers useful to any person interested in trading, investing, or doing business in that Party’s territory.
3. Subject to each Party’s laws and regulations, the information described in paragraph 2(b) may include:
(a) customs regulations, procedures, or enquiry points;
(b) regulations or procedures concerning intellectual property rights, including patent protection rights;
(c) technical regulations, standards, quality or conformity assessment procedures;
(d) sanitary or phytosanitary measures relating to importation or exportation;
(e) foreign investment regulations;
(f) business registration;
(g) trade promotion programmes;
(h) competitiveness programmes;
(i) SME investment and financing programmes;
(j) taxation and accounting;
(k) government procurement regulations and procedures, and (l) other information which the Party considers to be useful for SMEs.
4. Each Party shall regularly review the information and links on the website referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 to ensure the information and links are up-to-date and accurate.
5. To the extent practicable, each Party shall make the information referred to in this Article available in English. If this information is available in Spanish or Arabic language, the Party shall endeavour to make this information available, as appropriate.
Article 15.4. Subcommittee on SME Issues
1. The Parties hereby establish a Subcommittee on SME Issues (“SME Subcommittee”), comprising government institutions responsible for trade and SMEs and national and local government representatives of each Party.
2. The SME Subcommittee shall:
(a) identify ways to assist SMEs in the Parties’ territories to take advantage of the commercial opportunities resulting from this Agreement and to strengthen SME competitiveness;
(b) identify and recommend ways for further cooperation between the Parties to develop and enhance partnerships between SMEs of the Parties;
(c) exchange and discuss each Party’s experiences and best practices in supporting and assisting SME exporters with respect to, among other things, training programs, trade education, trade finance, trade missions, trade facilitation, digital trade, identifying commercial partners in the territories of the Parties, and establishing good business credentials;
(d) promote seminars, workshops, webinars, mentorship sessions, or other activities to inform SMEs of the benefits available to them under this Agreement;
(e) explore opportunities for capacity building to facilitate each Party’s work in developing and enhancing SME export counselling, assistance, and training programmes;
(f) recommend additional information that a Party may include on the website referred to in Article 15.3;
(g) review and coordinate its work program with the work of other subcommittees, working groups, and other subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement, as well as of other relevant international bodies, to avoid duplication of work programs and to identify appropriate opportunities for cooperation to improve the ability of SMEs to engage in trade and investment opportunities resulting from this Agreement;
(h) collaborate with and encourage subcommittees, working groups and other subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement to consider SME-related commitments and activities into their work;
(i) review the implementation and operation of this Chapter and SME-related provisions within this Agreement, and report findings and make recommendations to the Joint Committee that can be included in future work and SME assistance programs, as appropriate;
(j) facilitate the development of programmes to assist SMEs to participate and integrate effectively into the Parties’ regional and global supply chains;
(k) promote the participation of SMEs in digital trade in order to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from this Agreement and rapidly access new markets;
(l) facilitate the exchange of information on entrepreneurship education and awareness programs for youth and women to promote the entrepreneurial environment in the territories of the Parties;
(m) submit on an annual basis, unless the Parties decide otherwise, a report of its activities and make appropriate recommendations to the Joint Committee, and
(n) consider any other matter pertaining to SMEs as the SME Subcommittee may decide, including issues raised by SMEs regarding their ability to benefit from this Agreement.
3. The SME Subcommittee shall maintain a fluid communication and convene within one year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement and thereafter meet annually, unless the Parties agree otherwise, in person or by any other technological means available.
4. The SME Subcommittee may seek to collaborate with appropriate experts and international donor organizations in carrying out its programmes and activities.
5. The SME Subcommittee may exchange information and coordinate activities by email, videoconference, or other means of communication.
Article 15.5. Non-Application of Dispute Settlement
Neither Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 18 (Dispute Settlement) for any matter arising under this Chapter.
Chapter 16. ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Article 16.1. Objectives
1. The Parties shall promote cooperation under this Agreement for their mutual benefit in order to liberalise and facilitate trade and investment between the Parties and foster economic growth.
2. Economic cooperation under this Chapter shall be built upon a common understanding between the Parties to support the implementation of this Agreement, with the objective of maximising its benefits, supporting pathways to trade and investment facilitation, and further improving market access and openness to contribute to the sustainable, inclusive economic growth and prosperity of the Parties.
Article 16.2. Scope
1. Economic cooperation under this Chapter shall support the effective and efficient implementation and utilisation of this Agreement through activities that relate to trade and investment.
2. Economic cooperation under this Chapter shall initially focus on the following areas:
(a) manufacturing industries;
(b) agriculture, forestry and fisheries;
(c) trade and investment promotion;
(d) human resource development;
(e) tourism;
(f) information and communications technology;
(g) promotion of electronic commerce;
(h) financial services, and
(i) trade in environmental goods and services.
Article 16.3. Annual Work Programme on Economic Cooperation Activities
1. The Subcommittee on Economic Cooperation established under Article 16.10 shall adopt an Annual Work Programme on Economic Cooperation Activities (“Annual Work Programme”) based on proposals submitted by the Parties.
2. In the Annual Work Programme, the Subcommittee on Economic Cooperation established under Article 16.10 may change the areas listed in Article 16.2.2, including by adding other areas related to the economic cooperation.
3. Each activity in an Annual Work Programme shall:
(a) be guided by the objectives set forth in Article 16.1;
(b) be related to trade or investment and support the implementation of this Agreement;
(c) involve both Parties;
(d) address the mutual priorities of the Parties, and
(e) avoid duplicating existing economic cooperation activities.
Article 16.4. Competition Policy
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation in the area of competition policy. The Parties may cooperate to exchange information relating to the development of competition policy, subject to their laws and regulations and available resources. The Parties may conduct such cooperation through their competent authorities.
2. The Parties may consult on matters related to anti-competitive practices and their adverse effects to trade. The consultations shall be without prejudice to the autonomy of each Party to develop, maintain and enforce its competition laws and regulations.
Article 16.5. Trade and Environment
Cooperation on Trade and Environment
1. Recognizing the importance of strengthening capacity to promote sustainable development with their three interdependent and mutually reinforcing components, which are economic growth, social development, and environmental protection, the Parties agree to cooperate in the field of trade and environment.
2. The Parties reaffirm their respective commitments under the multilateral environment agreements to which the Parties are party.
3. Each Party recognises the sovereign right of the other Party to set its own environmental laws, regulations and policies. The Parties shall ensure that their environmental laws, regulations and policies are not used for trade protectionist purposes. The Parties recognize that it is inappropriate to encourage trade or investment by weakening or reducing the protection afforded in their respective environmental laws and regulations.
4. Considering their national priorities and available resources, the Parties shall cooperate in areas of mutual interest and benefit regarding trade and environment. These areas may include:
(a) circular economy;
(b) air quality;
(c) biodiversity;
(d) water management;
(e) waste management;
(f) marine and coastal ecological conservation and pollution control;
(g) green technologies;
(h) sustainable fisheries;
(i) environmental education and awareness;
(j) sustainable agriculture;
(k) the relationship between economic activity, market forces and the environment;
(l) the relationship of their respective environmental and trade policies;
(m) the environmental provisions of trade agreements, and they implementation, and
(n) other areas that the Parties may agree.
5. Each Party may invite social partners, relevant agencies or stakeholders, as appropriate, to participate in relevant cooperation activities or in the identification of potential areas of cooperation.
Trade and Climate Change
6. The Parties recognize that climate change poses significant risks to communities, infrastructure, the economy, the environment, and human health, with possible impacts on international trade, and that efforts to increase resilience are required. The Parties reaffirm the principles and objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, done at New York on 9 May 1992, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, done at Kyoto on 11 December 1997, and the Paris Agreement, done at Paris on 12 December 2015.
7. The Parties shall cooperate to address matters of common interest related to trade and environment. These areas of cooperation may include, among others:
(a) research and development of cost-effective low carbon emission technologies;
(b) energy efficiency;
(c) development of clean and renewable energy;
(d) co-benefits in enhancing air quality through air pollution control measures;
(e) monitoring and reporting and verification (MRV);
(f) methodologies of accounting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in the framework of international agreements, and
(g) market and non-market carbon pricing mechanisms.
Responsible Business Conduct