RCEP - CHAPTER 14: SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

Article 14.1: Objectives

1. The Parties recognise that small and medium enterprises, including micro enterprises, contribute significantly to economic growth, employment, and innovation, and therefore seek to promote information sharing and cooperation in increasing the ability of small and medium enterprises to utilise and benefit from the opportunities created by this Agreement.

2. The Parties acknowledge the provisions of various Chapters in this Agreement that contribute to encouraging and facilitating the participation of small and medium enterprises in this Agreement.

Article 14.2: Information Sharing

1. Each Party shall promote the sharing of information related to this Agreement that is relevant to small and medium enterprises, including through the establishment and maintenance of a publicly accessible information platform, and information exchange to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices among the Parties.

2. The information to be made publicly accessible in accordance with paragraph 1 will include:

(a) the full text of this Agreement;

(b) information on trade and investment-related laws and regulations that the Party considers relevant to small and medium enterprises; and

(c) additional business-related information that the Party considers useful for small and medium enterprises interested in benefitting from the opportunities provided by this Agreement.

3. Each Party shall take reasonable steps to ensure that information referred to in paragraph 2 is accurate and up-to-date.

Article 14.3: Cooperation

The Parties shall strengthen their cooperation under this Chapter, which may include:

(a) encouraging efficient and effective implementation of facilitative and transparent trade rules and regulations;

(b) improving small and medium enterprises’ access to markets and participation in global value chains, including by promoting and facilitating partnerships among businesses;

(c) promoting the use of electronic commerce by small and medium enterprises;

(d) exploring opportunities for exchanges of experiences among Parties’ entrepreneurial programmes;

(e) encouraging innovation and use of technology;

(f) promoting awareness, understanding, and effective use of the intellectual property system among small and medium enterprises;

(g) promoting good regulatory practices and building capacity in formulating regulations, policies, and programmes that contribute to small and medium enterprise development; and

(h) sharing best practices on enhancing the capability and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.

Article 14.4: Contact Points

Each Party shall, within 30 days of the date of entry into force of this Agreement for that Party, designate one or more contact points to facilitate cooperation and information sharing under this Chapter and notify the other Parties of the contact details of that contact point or those contact points. Each Party shall notify the other Parties of any change to those contact details.

Article 14.5: Non-Application of Dispute Settlement

Dispute settlement mechanisms in this Agreement shall not apply to any matter arising under this Chapter.