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Improved market access for services
The CPTPP's commitments in services provide greater openness and security over the conditions under which New Zealand businesses can provide services to overseas clients. Access to CPTPP markets is locked in for New Zealand service providers across a range of sectors, including providers of professional, business, private education, transportation and distribution services.
Improved commitments for services are important for many New Zealand goods exporters as they look to undertake services and investment related activities to support their international business (such as establishing an in-market presence, forming commercial partnerships, providing after-sales service).
Unless subject to exceptions, New Zealand services exports to CPTPP countries benefit from legal protections that guarantee market access and non-discriminatory treatment (they are entitled to treatment equivalent to that given to local and foreign competitors).
The commitments are a significant improvement on the obligations CPTPP Parties have made to New Zealand under the World Trade Organization.
Protecting the right to regulate
At the same time, New Zealand retains the right to regulate for legitimate public policy purposes (listed in New Zealand’s schedule of country-specific exceptions).
Public services provided by the government are also excluded from the scope of New Zealand’s services commitments in CPTPP. New Zealand can maintain or introduce policy measures, even those that restrict trade, in areas such as social services (including health, public education, and social security), foreign investment screening, management of our exclusive economic zone, and our biosecurity and food safety regimes.
Enhancing visa access for business people
The CPTPP temporary entry provisions enhance access for New Zealand business people in the CPTPP region.
The ability for business people to secure visas in a transparent and timely manner is a key facilitator for international trade. The CPTPP temporary entry chapter enhances transparency for business people in the CP-TPP region and includes Party-specific commitments that guarantee entry for certain New Zealand business people.
New benefits for New Zealanders available under CPTPP include:
- Improved access for business visitors covering a range of activities such as attending meetings or conferences, arranging sales of goods or services or establishing an investment for specified periods (typically three to six months).
- Extended scope of coverage for intra-corporate transferees (generally executives, managers and specialists) into Canada, Viet Nam and Mexico. In Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia and Peru, dependants will also be granted entry.
- New or improved access for independent professionals into Brunei, Chile, Japan, Mexico and Peru.
- Improved ability for business personnel employed by a New Zealand firm (and their dependents in some CPTPP Parties) to deliver services in another CPTPP Party under a contract with a New Zealand firm.
- Access for installers and servicers to provide aftersales support directly into Canada and Mexico. Entry is typically permitted for up to six months.
New Zealand’s commitments to other CPTPP Parties are consistent with current policy settings related to business visitors, intra-corporate transferees, installers of services and independent professionals.