Article 18.1: Establishment of the Joint Committee

1. The Parties hereby establish the Joint Committee (Joint Committee) consisting of representatives of each Party.
2. The Joint Committee shall meet at the level of Ministers, unless the Parties otherwise agree.
3. Further to paragraph 2, if the Joint Committee meets at the level of Ministers, it shall be preceded by a Senior Officials level meeting.

Article 18.2: Functions of the Joint Committee

1. The Joint Committee shall:
   1. consider any matter related to the implementation and operation of this Agreement;
   2. consider any proposals to amend this Agreement;
   3. review this Agreement five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement and then every five years thereafter, in accordance with Article 21.5 (General Review of the Agreement) of Chapter 21 (Final Provisions);
   4. supervise the work of all committees and any other subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement;
   5. consider ways to further enhance trade and investment between the Parties; and
   6. carry out any other functions as the Parties may agree.
2. The Joint Committee may:
   1. refer matters to, or consider matters referred to it by, committees and subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement;
   2. develop implementing arrangements for the implementation of this Agreement;
   3. seek to resolve differences that may arise regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement;
   4. seek expert advice on any matter falling within the Joint Committee's responsibilities; and
   5. take any other action as the Parties may agree.

Article 18.3: Committees and Subsidiary Bodies

1. The following Committees are established under this Agreement:
   1. Committee on Trade in Goods, in accordance with Article 2.11 (Committee on Trade in Goods) of Chapter 2 (Trade in Goods);
   2. Committee on Trade in Services, in accordance with Article 9.14 (Committee on Trade in Services) of Chapter 9 (Trade in Services);
   3. Committee on Investment, in accordance with Article 14.18 (Committee on Investment) of Chapter 14 (Investment); and
   4. Committee on Economic Cooperation, in accordance with Article 15.3 (Committee on Economic Cooperation) of Chapter 15 (Economic Cooperation).
2. The following Sub-Committees are established under this Agreement:
   1. Sub-Committee on Trade Facilitation, in accordance with Article 6.8 (Trade Facilitation Sub-Committee) of Chapter 6 (Trade Facilitation);
   2. Sub-Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters, in accordance with Article 7.11 (SPS Sub-Committee) of Chapter 7 (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures); and
   3. Sub-Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, in accordance with Article 8.13 (TBT Sub-Committee) of Chapter 8 (Technical Barriers to Trade).
3. The Joint Committee may establish additional committees or subsidiary bodies, including ad hoc bodies, as it determines necessary to address issues arising under, and assist with the implementation of, this Agreement.
4. Unless otherwise provided, any committee or subsidiary body shall:
   1. be composed of representatives of the Parties;
   2. be chaired jointly by the Parties;
   3. by agreement, take decisions on any matter within its functions; and
   4. meet annually or as determined by the Parties. Meetings may be conducted in person or by any other means as determined by the Parties.

Article 18.4: Rules of Procedure

1. The Joint Committee shall take decisions on any matter by agreement.
2. The Joint Committee shall establish its rules of procedure at its first meeting.

Article 18.5: Meetings of the Joint Committee

1. The Joint Committee shall meet within one year of the date of entry into force of this Agreement and then every year after that, or as otherwise agreed by the Parties. Sessions of the Joint Committee shall be chaired jointly by the Parties, or as otherwise agreed by the Parties.
2. Meetings of the Joint Committee may be conducted in person or by any other means as agreed by the Parties.
3. The Parties may invite, by agreement, representatives of other relevant entities, including from the private sector, with necessary expertise relevant to the issues to be discussed, to attend meetings of the Joint Committee.

Article 18.6: Contact Points

Each Party shall designate an overall contact point to facilitate communications between the Parties on any matter relating to this Agreement, including its implementation, and notify its contact point to the other Party in writing within 30 days of the date of entry into force of this Agreement.