FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET ("MERCOSUR") AND
THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
PREAMBLE
The Republic of Singapore, hereinafter referred to as “Singapore”,
of the one part,
AND,
the Argentine Republic,
the Federative Republic of Brazil,
the Republic of Paraguay,
the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,
State Parties to the Common Market of the South signatories of this Agreement,
hereinafter, for the purposes of this Agreement, referred to as Signatory MERCOSUR States,
AND
the Common Market of the South, hereinafter referred to as 'MERCOSUR',
of the other part,
hereinafter jointly referred to as 'the Parties',
HAVING REGARD to the Treaty establishing the Common Market of the South between the Argentine Republic, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay;
REAFFIRMING their commitment to further strengthen and diversify their trade and investment relations;
AFFIRMING their conviction that this Agreement will enhance the competitiveness of their firms in global markets and the conditions of fair competition;
ACKNOWLEDGING the importance of transparency in international trade to the benefit of all stakeholders;
AIMING to promote economic and social development, to create new employment opportunities, to improve living standards and to ensure high levels of protection of health and safety and of the environment;
REAFFIRMING their commitment to promote international trade in such a way as to contribute to sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions;
RECOGNISING the condition and challenges faced by the Republic of Paraguay as landlocked developing country;
WILLING to support the growth and development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by enhancing their ability to participate in and benefit from the opportunities created by this Agreement;
DETERMINED to promote and further strengthen the multilateral trading system, thereby contributing to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade;
BUILDING on their respective rights and obligations under the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization and other multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements and arrangements to which they are party;
HAVE AGREED, in pursuit of the above, to conclude the following Free Trade Agreement: