Trade and development committee (‘the Committee’)
Article 96
1. The Joint Council shall be assisted in the performance of its duties by a Committee composed of representatives of the Parties, normally at senior officials’ level. 2. The Committee may establish any special technical groups to deal with specific matters falling within their competence. 3. The Committee shall determine the rules of procedure of the special technical groups established under paragraph 2 of this Article. 4. The Committee shall report and be responsible to the Joint Council. 5. The Committee shall take decisions or make recommendations in the cases provided for in this Agreement or where such power has been delegated to it by the Joint Council. In this event the Committee shall take its decisions by consensus. 6. The Committee shall have, in particular, the following functions: (a) In the area of trade, to: (i) monitor and evaluate the implementation of the decisions of the Joint Council; (ii) facilitate and supervise the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement; (iii) consider and recommend cooperation priorities to the Joint Council; (iv) make appropriate recommendations to the Joint Council to avoid potential conflicts which might arise in areas covered by this Agreement; (v) carry out any other function assigned to it by the Joint Council; (vi) supervise the work of the special technical groups as referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article; (vii) monitor the development of regional integration and of economic and trade relations between the Parties; (viii) discuss and undertake actions that may facilitate trade, investment and business opportunities between the Parties; and (ix) discuss any matters pertaining to this Agreement and any issue liable to affect the attainment of its objectives. (b) In the area of development cooperation, to: (i) monitor the implementation of the cooperation provisions laid down in this Agreement and coordinate such action with third party donors; (ii) make recommendations on trade-related cooperation between the Parties; (iii) keep under periodic review the cooperation priorities set out in this Agreement, and make recommendations on the inclusion of new priorities, as appropriate; (iv) review and discuss cooperation issues pertaining to regional integration and implementation of this Agreement; and (v) monitor and assess the impact of the implementation of this Agreement on the sustainable development of the Parties.