INGENIEUR
to the recognition of professional qualifications , and encouragement to relevant bodies to negotiate arrangements for mutual recognition of professional qualifications , licensing or registration in professional services sectors of mutual interest . This Annex also encourages the Parties or relevant bodies to work towards the development of mutually acceptable professional standards and criteria in mutually accepted areas , which may include education , examination , experience , conduct and ethics , professional development and re-certification , scope of practice , local knowledge , and consumer protection .
Temporary Movement of Natural Persons ( MNP )
MNP in Chapter 9 sets out commitments that facilitate the temporary entry and temporary stay of natural persons engaged in trade in goods , supply of services or conduct of investment . The chapter and the attached schedules set out those commitments ( such as length of stay ), and any conditions and limitations governing those commitments . Commitments on business visitors , intra-corporate transferees and other categories as specified in each Party ’ s Schedule of Specific Commitments are also included .
Investment
Chapter 10 aims to create an enabling investment environment in the region . This Chapter contains provisions covering the four pillars of investments : protection , liberalisation , promotion , and facilitation . These provisions upgrade and enhance existing ASEAN Plus One FTAs and include a most-favoured-nation treatment clause , plus commitments on the prohibition of performance requirements that go beyond their multilateral obligations under the WTO Trade Related Investment Measures ( TRIMS ) Agreement .
Intellectual Property
Chapter 11 provides a balanced and inclusive approach to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the region . Aside from featuring provisions relating to harmonising the protections for the standard suite of intellectual property rights , it provides for the protection of intellectual property rights beyond the level of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ( TRIPS Agreement ), including provisions relating to technological protection measures and enforcement in the digital environment , as well as appropriate criminal procedures and penalties against unauthorised copying of a cinematographic work on a commercial scale .
Electronic Commerce
Recognising the increasing digitalisation of trade , the Parties included a chapter on Electronic Commerce ( e-Commerce ), which aims to promote e-Commerce among the Parties and the wider use of e-Commerce globally and enhance co-operation among the Parties . It sets out provisions that encourage the Parties to improve trade administration and processes by using electronic means .
Competition
Chapter 13 aims to promote competition in markets and enhance economic efficiency and consumer welfare . It includes obligations for the Parties to adopt or maintain competition laws and regulations that proscribe anti-competitive activities and to establish or maintain authorities to implement its competition laws while recognising the sovereign rights of each Party to develop and enforce its own competition laws and policies and allowing for exclusion or exemptions based on grounds of public policy or public interest .
Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs )
The Parties recognise that SMEs , including micro enterprises , contribute significantly to economic growth , employment and innovation , and therefore seek to promote information sharing and cooperation in increasing SMEs ’ ability to utilise and benefit from the opportunities created by RCEP .
Economic and Technical Co-operation ( ECOTECH )
ECOTECH in Chapter 15 provides a framework for realising the development dimension of RCEP . The
64 VOL 85 JANUARY - MARCH 2021