The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement "EPA" came into force on 1 February and is already helping to expand trade and investment between two of the largest economies in the world. The Agreement which includes commitments to ease the trade of goods and services also includes provisions to increase access to each other’s government procurement markets by going beyond earlier commitments made by the EU and Japan in the framework of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

Through the EPA, EU companies will now gain enhanced access to the public procurement markets of additional national government agencies, Japan's Prefectures, core cities, public-owned power utilities in the regions as well as local administrative agencies, such as hospitals and universities.

In order to facilitate access both sides have also agreed to provide greater clarity on technical specifications, test reports and environmental conditions as well as guarantees for impartiality of domestic review. A Committee on Government Procurement has also been established to ensure the smooth implementation of the EPA and resolve any issues that may arise.

It is in this broader context that a Seminar to discuss public procurement in the EPA will be held. This seminar is an opportunity to hear, discuss and engage with both EU and Japanese public authorities, including core cities and national/local administrative agencies as well as suppliers, on the efforts undertaken to deliver on the public procurement ambitions of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, including the challenges faced and future actions to ensure procurement markets are open and efficient.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 26 November, 13:30-18:00 (Networking reception: 18:00-20:00)Venue: EU DelegationCo-organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial CooperationTarget audience: Institutions and companies interested in public procurementLanguage: English and Japanese (simultaneous interpretation)Registration:  Fax: 03-6205-4206 or Email: seminar@grjapan.com (deadline: Thursday, 21 November)Inquiries: Fax: 03-6205-4206 or Email: seminar@grjapan.comPlease find the agenda from the link below.