Common use of Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Clause in Contracts

Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications. 1. Nothing in this Article shall prevent a Party from requiring that natural persons possess the necessary qualifications and professional experience specified in the territory where the service is supplied, for the sector of activity concerned. 2. The Parties shall encourage the relevant professional bodies or respective authorities, as appropriate, in their respective territories to develop and provide a joint recommendation on mutual recognition of professional qualifications to the Committee on Investment, Trade in Services, Electronic Commerce and Government Procurement established pursuant to Article 17.2 (Specialised Committees). Such a joint recommendation shall be supported by evidence of: (a) the economic value of an envisaged agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications (hereinafter referred to as "Mutual Recognition Agreement"); and (b) the compatibility of the respective regimes, such as the extent to which the criteria applied by each Party for the authorisation, licensing, operation and certification of entrepreneurs and service suppliers are compatible. 3. Upon receipt of a joint recommendation, the Committee on Investment, Trade in Services, Electronic Commerce and Government Procurement shall, within a reasonable period of time, review the joint recommendation with a view to determining whether it is consistent with this Agreement. 4. Where, on the basis of the information provided for in paragraph 2, the joint recommendation has been found to be consistent with this Agreement, the Parties shall take necessary steps to negotiate, through their competent authorities or designees authorised by a Party, a Mutual Recognition Agreement.