Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement: A Guide to the Agreement and Its Amendments

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The Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement is a significant trade deal between two countries. It was signed on November 28, 2009.

The agreement eliminates tariffs on most goods traded between the two countries. This means that Canadian businesses can export goods to Jordan without paying duties, and vice versa.

Jordan has a population of around 10 million people, making it a significant market for Canadian exports. The agreement aims to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

The Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement has been amended several times since its signing.

Agreement Details

The Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement is a significant deal that eliminates tariffs on most goods traded between the two countries. It came into effect on July 1, 2009.

One of the key benefits of this agreement is the elimination of tariffs on industrial products, which account for a significant portion of Canada's exports to Jordan.

Under the agreement, Canada and Jordan also committed to providing national treatment to each other's service providers, allowing them to compete on an equal footing in both countries.

Credit: youtube.com, Don Davies speaks in support of the Canada - Jordan Trade Agreement

The agreement also includes provisions for the protection of intellectual property rights, which is essential for businesses that rely on innovation and creativity to stay competitive.

Canada and Jordan agreed to cooperate on customs procedures, including the use of electronic data interchange systems to facilitate trade.

The agreement also includes a chapter on government procurement, which allows Canadian businesses to bid on government contracts in Jordan and vice versa.

Regulatory Analysis

The Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement has undergone several reviews to ensure its effectiveness. The agreement was first signed in 2009 and came into force on July 1, 2012.

Under Article 4.1, the agreement established a committee to oversee its implementation and review its provisions every five years. This committee has been instrumental in addressing any concerns or issues that have arisen.

The agreement's regulatory analysis aims to promote cooperation and coordination between Canada and Jordan. This is achieved through the exchange of information on regulatory policies and procedures.

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Canada's regulatory framework is designed to ensure the safety and quality of imported goods. This includes compliance with standards and regulations set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada.

Jordan's regulatory framework, on the other hand, is based on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

Benefits and Impact

The Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement has brought significant benefits to both countries. The agreement has increased Canada's two-way merchandise trade with Jordan to $89.0 million in 2011.

Canada's exports to Jordan have also increased, with a value of $70.1 million in 2011, up from $31 million in 2003. This shows a steady growth in trade between the two countries.

The agreement is expected to lead to enhanced customs duty savings for Canadian importers, as well as increased exports for Canadian companies. The removal of tariffs in the Jordanian market will help make Canadian exporters more competitive in various sectors.

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The Jordan Tariff (JT) has been created under the CJFTA, providing a new preferential tariff treatment for Jordan-originating products. Importers must have a Canada-Jordan Certificate of Origin to qualify for this treatment.

The agreement has also helped increase trade between the two countries, with Canadian exporters now able to penetrate the Jordanian market more easily. This is expected to lead to increased exports for Canadian companies.

The Jordan Exporters Association has partnered with the Trade Facilitation Office Canada to help Jordanian companies enter the Canadian market. This partnership has benefited many Jordanian companies and helped them tap into the Canadian market.

The government of Canada is providing a comprehensive incentive package for women-led SMEs to participate in the exporter's mission to Canada in May 2018. This initiative aims to promote gender equality and stimulate trade between the two countries.

Under the CJFTA, Jordanian companies can export their products to Canada without paying any customs duties, giving them a competitive edge in the Canadian market.

Legislation and Amendments

Close-up of a hand holding Jordanian dinar bills with a blurred background, highlighting currency exchange.
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The Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement has a formal act associated with it, known as the Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act.

This Act may be cited as the Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act.

Coming Into Force

Legislation and Amendments often involve specific dates for coming into force, which can be a bit confusing. These dates are usually tied to the enactment of a particular Act or Regulation.

In the case of Regulations, they can come into force on the day a specific section of an Act is enacted. For example, the Regulations mentioned in Example 1 come into force on the day section 32 of the Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act comes into force.

The Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act is a specific piece of legislation that can be cited by its title. This Act may be cited as the Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, as stated in Example 2.

Part 2: Amendments

Credit: youtube.com, Amendments: Part Two

In Part 2 of the legislation, several amendments are made to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act. One notable change is the replacement of subsection 2(5) with a new definition of "Jordan Tariff".

The new definition of "Jordan Tariff" refers to the rates of customs duty mentioned in section 52.4 of the Customs Tariff.

The Tribunal's inquiry into goods imported from certain countries is also clarified. Goods are considered imported from a country if they are shipped directly to Canada from that country, within the meaning of sections 17 and 18 of the Customs Tariff.

The definition of "principal cause" is also introduced, which means an important cause that is no less important than any other cause of a serious injury or threat.

The Tribunal is required to inquire into and report on whether goods entitled to the Jordan Tariff are being imported in such increased quantities as to constitute a principal cause of serious injury or threat to domestic producers.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are established by the Governor in Council or the Minister, as the case may be.

Free Trade Agreement

Credit: youtube.com, Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (1 of 3)

The Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (CJFTA) has been in effect since October 1, 2012, eliminating duties on most imports of Jordanian origin.

Under the CJFTA, importers must have a Canada-Jordan Certificate of Origin, completed by the exporter in Jordan, for each qualifying shipment.

This agreement has opened up new opportunities for Jordanian businesses to export their products to Canada without paying customs duties.

The Jordan Tariff (JT) has been created as a new preferential tariff treatment under the CJFTA.

Jordanian companies can export their products to Canada without paying customs duties, giving them a competitive edge in the Canadian market.

The government of Canada is providing a comprehensive incentive package for five women-led/owned SMEs to participate in the exporter's mission to Canada in May 2018.

The Jordan Exporters Association has partnered with the Trade Facilitation Office Canada since 2015, benefiting many Jordanian companies and helping them enter the Canadian market.

Credit: youtube.com, Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (3 of 3)

The CJFTA has been a game-changer for Jordanian businesses, allowing them to tap into the Canadian market with ease.

The Jordan Exporters Association is keen to increase exports of national products to Canada by enhancing the benefits of the CJFTA.

The government of Canada, through TFO Canada, is providing financial support for this initiative, which aims to stimulate and promote gender equality.

The CJFTA has been a key factor in boosting bilateral trade between Canada and Jordan, and it's expected to reach record highs with full utilization of the agreement.

Darla Bartell

Senior Assigning Editor

Darla Bartell is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and journalism, she has honed her skills in identifying and assigning compelling articles that captivate readers. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, including Truck Dimensions and Regulations, where she has consistently delivered insightful and informative content that meets the needs of her audience.

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