Trade in Services  
     
 

Adopting a negative list approach, the Cross Border Trade in Services chapter deems all service sectors in Panama and Singapore open unless otherwise listed in the Annexes. In the case of Panama, sectors with reservations include: agricultural, retail sales, radio and television transmission, power distribution, education, advertising, fishing, legal, travel agencies, social services and postal.

The Annex 10B on Maritime transport services was included into the cross border trade in services chapter. This ensures that vessels of Singapore and Panama are guaranteed access to and enjoy non-discriminatory treatment in each other's ports. Under the annex, vessels of Singapore and Panama are defined as any vessel under the national flag of either country, registered in the territory of either country, or any vessel under the flag of a third country that is owned or operated by a shipping company of either Singapore or Panama.

The key elements are as follows:

(a) Taxes, port access fees and levies: Singapore vessels will enjoy the same treatment as Panama vessels in Panamanian ports, and vice-versa, with respect to taxes assessed on tonnage or freight value, and other taxes, port access fees or levies.
(b) Non-discriminatory treatment: Singapore and Panama vessels will enjoy non-discriminatory treatment for port services provided in the other Party's ports.
(c) Coastwise transportation of equipment: Singapore and Panama vessels will be allowed to transport equipment for their own use, including empty cargo vans, empty cargo lifts and empty containers between the other Party's ports.
(d) International maritime transport and feeder services: Singapore and Panama vessels will be allowed to operate between each other's ports for the purposes of pre or onward carriage of their own international cargo.