Intellectual property protection provisions (Chapter 8 and Appendix XVIII) include trademarks, copyrights, patents and geographical indications, and include provisions for respect for intellectual property rights and cooperation between the parties. These provisions are based on the WTO agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) and provide for a high level of protection, taking into account the principles of the most favoured nation and national treatment. For trade statistics between EFTA and the Philippines, see EFTA trade statistics tool The agreement also provides for tariff concessions for both agricultural commodities and processed agricultural products in bilateral annexes VIII to X of the agreement. Specific provisions to facilitate trade in fish and other seafood are contained in a separate annex of the trade chapter (Annex V). The agreement contains provisions to remove export duties, but the Philippines has maintained the possibility of these tariffs for the protocols, as indicated in Schedule IV. Philippines – Japan Economic Partnership Agreement The Philippines and Japan concluded a free trade agreement in 2008. The VPA is the Philippines` only bilateral free trade agreement covering, among other things, trade in goods, trade in services, investment, personal transport, intellectual property, customs procedures, improving the business environment and public procurement. The agreement contains provisions for remedial measures (Articles 2.12 to 2.15), namely subsidies and countervailing measures, anti-dumping measures, global safeguards and temporary safeguards. Other ASEAN free trade agreements have concluded a preferential agreement with China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Visit www.dti.gov.ph/15-main-content/dummy-article/682-free-trade-agreements and tariffcommission.gov.ph/finder/ for a list of Philippine trade agreements and tariff plans and related commitments. More information on trade is also available on the Philippine National Trade Repository website pntr.gov.ph/. The Trade and Investment Agreement will develop a key aspect of EU relations with the Philippines, based on the EU-Philippines framework agreement that came into force in March 2018. The Philippines has been a member of the WTO since 1995 and enjoys enhanced trade preferences with the EU under the EU Plus Generalised Preference System (GSP). The agreement contains detailed provisions on trade facilitation (Annex VI), including some more WTO provisions. The provisions are open, among other things, to preliminary decisions and limit the possibility of new fees and taxes. As a large-scale agreement, the free trade agreement covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition, protection of intellectual property rights, public procurement, trade and sustainable development.