EFTA-Canada Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on 1 July 2009

Published 04-05-2009
EFTA-Canada Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on 1 July 2009
On 30 April 2009, Canada completed the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement and the complementary bilateral agreements on agriculture with the EFTA States. Following ratification by Norway (27 June 2008), Iceland (30 June 2008), and Switzerland (24 April 2009), the path is now clear for the Agreement to enter into force on 1 July 2009.

Almost ten years after the launch of negotiations, the Free Trade Agreement was signed in January 2008. It is Canada's first Free Trade Agreement with European countries. Most industrial goods, including fish and other marine products, will benefit from duty-free access to the respective markets as of the entry into force of the Agreement. The elimination of barriers to trade and duty-free access to industrial products of each other’s markets is expected to boost trade flows between Canada and EFTA countries. Other areas such as services, investment, and intellectual property may be discussed during the review process foreseen within the coming three years.

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