In recognition of the friendly diplomatic ties between the
Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of Paraguay, and
with the mutual desire to develop closer relations, this
Agreement on Technical Cooperation (hereinafter “ this
Agreement ” )is undertaken by the Bureau of Standards,
Metrology and Inspection (hereinafter “ BSMI ” )of the
Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan),
and the National Institute of Technology, Standardization and
Metrology (hereinafter “ INTN ” )of the Republic of Paraguay.
BSMI and INTN (hereinafter “ the Parties ” )aim to promote
technical knowledge and skill transfers in the domains of
standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment via this
Agreement.

Believing that this Agreement will enhance mutual understanding
and promote bilateral trade, the Parties agree to the following:


ARTICLE 1
PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES
The Parties shall work together with the utmost good faith and
implement this Agreement in accordance with the following
principles and objectives:
1. Eliminate technical barriers to trade and promote economic
relations between Taiwan and Paraguay.
2. Collaborate on capacity building for quality infrastructure
related to industrial products, particularly with regard to
the technical capabilities of standardization, metrology, and
conformity assessment bodies and accreditation systems, as
well as other areas of mutual interest.

ARTICLE 2
SCOPE
1. This Agreement does not generate rights or legally binding
obligations of International Law or Domestic Law for any of
the Parties or for their respective States.
2. Cooperation between the Parties shall consist of the
following:
(1) Conducting personnel exchanges to study, share experiences,
engage in consultations, and train specialists on mutually
agreed upon technical cooperation programs.
(2) Providing information on significant changes to regulatory
requirements under the jurisdictions of the Parties that
could impact bilateral trade in goods.
(3) Promoting and developing direct cooperation between
conformity assessment bodies and scientific research
institutes regarding standardization, laboratories,
metrology, calibration, and conformity assessment
procedures.
(4) Organizing activities and promoting common projects
concerning the development of quality infrastructure to
enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of conformity
assessment bodies.

ARTICLE 3
TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAMS
1. The Parties agree to cooperate on the following:
(1) Various standardization activities, including information
exchanges and standards development.
(2) Technical personnel training regarding best practices for
testing and calibration laboratories, measurement and legal
metrology, and product and management systems certification.
(3) Consultations on developing regulatory frameworks for
consumer products.
(4) Inspections and technical services for export products.
(5) Technical assistance in agreed areas between the
institutions of the both parties.
2. Needs identified by INTN for technical cooperation shall be
communicated to BSMI through points of contact designated by
each Party. Technical cooperation programs shall be
coordinated in advance and agreed upon by the Parties.
3. Cooperation under this Agreement shall be subject to and
dependent upon the availability of related funds, personnel,
and resources. Neither Party shall be obligated to provide
funding. Any financial arrangements shall be negotiated on a
case-by-case basis in accordance with relevant laws and
regulations.
4. The technical cooperation programs conducted in accordance
with the present Article shall be reviewed by the Parties to
determine whether the identified needs have been
appropriately addressed.

ARTICLE 4
RELEVANT IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATIONS
When implementing the technical cooperation programs provided
for in Article 3, the Parties may, according to their domains of
interest, solicit the participation and resources of other
specialized agencies or organizations.

ARTICLE 5
CONFIDENTIALITY
1. The Parties shall maintain the confidentiality of the
documents and information received under this Agreement. Such
information may only be transferred to a third party with the
written consent of the other Party.
2. The confidentiality of the documents and information received
within the framework of this Agreement will be subject to the
applicable legislation of the Parties.

ARTICLE 6
FORCE MAJEURE
1. In the event of force majeure, any delay in the
implementation of this Agreement by either Party shall
neither constitute a default by that Party nor be cause for
claims for damages. However, the other Party shall be
notified of the delay in a timely manner and provided with a
just cause.
2. The Party impacted by force majeure shall promptly notify the
other Party, detailing the extent and anticipated duration of
the force majeure event, as well as the anticipated delay of
the affected endeavor under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The Parties shall endeavor to settle any dispute or difference
of opinion arising from or related to this Agreement amicably
and in good faith through mutual discussions and negotiations.

ARTICLE 8
VALIDITY AND TERMINATION
1. This Agreement shall be valid for a period of two years from
the date of last signature and shall be automatically renewed
for a further two-year period every two years unless
otherwise terminated.
2. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing the
other Party with a written notice at least six months in
advance.
3. Any amendment and/ or revision to this Agreement shall be
mutually agreed upon by the Parties in writing.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized
thereto, have signed this Agreement.

Done in duplicate in the Chinese, Spanish, and English
languages, with all texts being equally authentic. In the case
of any difference in interpretation, the English text shall
prevail.


For the Bureau of Standards, For the National Institute of
Metrology and Inspection, Technology, Standardization
Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Metrology, Republic of
Republic of China (Taiwan) Paraguay
__________________ __________________
Ching-Chang Lien Lira R. Gimenez
Director General Director General

Signed in Taipei, Taiwan Signed in Asuncion, Paraguay
March 18, 2021 April 12, 2021