Agreements
MOITI has facilitated the following international agreements, advancing Massachusetts development by strengthening international collaboration in trade and investment, economic opportunity, science, technology, innovation and education.
Argentina
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Province of Mendoza, Argentina; signed Oct. 13, 1995.
- Participating Entity: Province of Mendoza, Argentina
- Signatories: Lic. Rodolfo Federico Gabrielli, Governor of the Province of Mendoza; Dr. Arturo Pedro Lafalla, Governor Elect of the Province of Mendoza
- Description: The agreement acknowledges the history of cooperation between Massachusetts and the Province of Mendoza in the areas of science and technology. The memorandum highlights opportunities for future partnerships and cooperative ventures in trade, education, investment, and technology. To this end, the document suggests that each government designate an office as the central business contact.
Australia
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding on Investment and Trade Information Exchange and Promotion between the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment; signed November, 2009.
- Participating Entity: State of Victoria, Australia
- Signatories: Victor Perton, Commissioner to the Americas
- Description: Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Victoria, Australia and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment as well as information and academic exchange.
Brazil
- Title: Protocol of Intent between the State of Sao Paulo and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed Sept. 1, 1993.
- Participating Entity: State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Signatories: Luiz Antonio Fleury Filho, Governor of the State of Sao Paulo; Luiz Gonzaga de Mello Belluzzo, Special Advisor of International Affairs
- Description: The agreement aims to strengthen partnerships and exchange in fields of commerce, environment, education, culture, technology, investment, and tourism. To achieve this, both parties should encourage the development of business and personal relationships.
Canada
- Title: Joint Declaration on Research, Science and Technology Cooperation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Québec; signed March 31, 2009.
- Participating Entity: Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Exportation (MDEIE) of Québec
- Signatories: Geneviève Tanguay, Assistant Deputy Minister of MDEIE
- Description: Joint declaration on research, science and technology cooperation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Québec with an intention to bring significant bilateral economic and social benefits to both regions.
Canada
- Title: Understanding between the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Government du Québec with Respect to the Exchange of Law Enforcement Information; signed Nov. 13, 2007.
- Participating Entity: Government of Québec
- Signatories: Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister of International Relations; Jacques P. Dupuis, Minister of Public Security
- Description: The understanding allows both parties to exchange security information to strengthen internal security between the United States of America and Canada.
Chile
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding on the Fields of Education, Energy and Biotechnology between the Republic of Chile and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed Sept. 23, 2011.
- Participating Entity: Republic of Chile
- Signatories: Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile
- Description: Promotes collaboration in the fields of human capital, energy, biotechnology, and the strengthening of the scientific and technological development between the Republic of Chile and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
China
- Title: Memorandum of Agreement Promoting Friendship and Cooperation between Guangdong Province and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: signed May 7, 1992.
- Participating Entity: Guangdong Province, China
- Signatories: Zhu Senlin, Governor of Guangdong
- Description: Agreement on the promotion of friendship and cooperation between Guangdong and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
China
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Hebei Province, PRC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed Sept. 18, 2006.
- Participating Entity: Hebei Province, China
- Signatories: Zhaoshi Hong, representing Hebei Governor Gengmao Guo
- Description: Memorandum of Understanding on promotion of Hebei Province and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via reciprocal company assistance and support for increased FDI in both regions.
China
- Title: MOU on Two-Way Investment Promotion Cooperation between the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Investment; signed June 23, 2008.
- Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (CIPA)
- Participating Entity: Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (CIPA)
- Signatories: Hua Yu, Deputy Director General of CIPA
- Description: Memorandum of Understanding in order to enhance two-way cooperation and investment.
China
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding on Investment and Trade Information Exchange and Promotion between the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment; signed June 16, 2010.
- Participating Entity: Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce
- Signatories: Wen Han, Deputy Director General, Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce
- Description: Memorandum of Understanding focusing on information exchange, foreign direct investment and innovation referrals.
China
- Title: Joint Statement To Deepen The Sister State/Province Relationship Between The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Of The United States Of America And Guangdong Province of The People’s Republic Of China; signed May, 2016.
- Participating Entity: Guangdong Province
- Signatories: Fu Lang, Director General Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office
- Description: Memorandum of Understanding focusing on trade and investment, sharing of best practices, education and training, and cultural exchange.
Colombia
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Republic of Colombia; signed Feb. 19, 2013.
- Participating Entity: Republic of Colombia
- Signatories: President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon
- Description: The memorandum promotes increased cooperation and collaboration between the Commonwealth and Colombia in the life sciences, clean energy, digital technology, and innovation sectors.
Hong Kong
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Hong Kong Government Industry Department; signed Aug. 24, 1991.
- Participating Entity: Hong Kong Government Industry Department
- Signatories: Wilfred Wong, Director of Industry, Hong Kong Government Industry Department
- Description: The agreement outlines cooperation in promoting industry technological advancement and expanding industry investment activities.
Hong Kong
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed Jan. 15, 2014.
- Participating Entity: Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Signatories: William Chui, Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Description: The memorandum promotes cooperation in trade and business relations between the Commonwealth and Hong Kong. Tools for achieving this goal include information sharing regarding key trade and economic issues, the creation of business opportunities through the sending of delegations between the two parties, and promotional activities such as seminars and trade fairs.
India
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Karnataka, India; signed Feb. 20, 1995.
- Participating Entity: State of Karnataka, India
- Signatories: H.D. Deve Gowdai, Chief Minister of the Karnataka State
- Description: The memorandum encourages the implementation of exchange programs in the fields of industry and foreign trade, education, and the environment.
India
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts/Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment; signed Feb. 17, 1995.
- Participating Entity: Confederation of Indian Industry
- Signatories: Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman, USA Committee, Confederation of Indian Industry
- Description: The agreement recognizes the opportunity to expand economic and trade cooperation between Massachusetts and India through the establishment of direct business contacts between Massachusetts-based and Indian organizations, industries, and enterprises.
Israel
- Title: Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Government of the State of Israel on Bilateral Cooperation in Industrial Research and Development; signed March 10, 2011.
- Participating Entity: State of Israel
- Signatories: Shalom Simhon, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor
- Description: Agreement between Massachusetts and Israel to develop and strengthen economic, industrial, technological and commercial cooperation.
Israel
- Title: Amending Protocol Between the Government Of The State Of Israel and The Government Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts to the Memorandum Of Understanding between the Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Bilateral Cooperation in Industrial Research and Development; signed March 10, 2011.
- Participating Entity: State of Israel
- Signatories: Avi Hasson, Chief Scientist For the Government of the State of Israel
- Description: Amending and modifications to the original agreement between Massachusetts and Israel to develop and strengthen economic, industrial, technological and commercial cooperation.
Italy
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding entered into by and between The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (“MassBio”) and The Italian Association for the Development of Biotechnology (“Assobiotec”) to memorialize the mutual desire to collaborate and to develop and sustain a relationship of support and cooperation for the betterment of the life sciences industry and their respective communities; signed Nov. 12, 2012.
- Participating entity: The Italian Association for the Development of Biotechnology (“Assobiotec”)
- Signatories: The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (“MassBio”) and The Italian Association for the Development of Biotechnology (“Assobiotec”)
Japan
- Title: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Friendship and Affiliation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Prefecture of Hokkaido, Japan.
- Participating Entity: Hokkaido, Japan; signed July 16, 2010.
- Signatories: Osamu Takai, Vice Governor of Hokkaido
- Description: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Friendship and Affiliation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Prefecture of Hokkaido, Japan on the Twentieth Anniversary of the Massachusetts-Hokkaido Sister-State Affiliation for the purpose of further promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between the people.
Japan
- Title: Agreement of Sister-State Affiliation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Prefecture of Hokkaido, Japan; signed Feb. 7, 1990.
- Participating Entity: Prefecture of Hokkaido
- Signatories: Takahiro Yokomichi, Governor of the Prefecture of Hokkaido
- Description: The agreement encourages the development of a sister-state relationship between Hokkaido and Massachusetts to promote cooperative ventures in the fields of industry, sports, science, culture, education, and technology.
Japan
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Japan External Trade Organization and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed June 11, 2014.
- Participating Entity: Japan External Trade Organization
- Signatories: Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization
- Description: The memorandum aims to enhance innovation economy partnerships, encourage foreign investment, and promote cooperation in the areas of trade and investment between the Commonwealth and Japan. The life science, clean energy, and IT sectors present opportunities for new business collaboration. In addition, the Memorandum facilitates the access of MOITI, along with Massachusetts companies, to JETRO’s network and services.
Japan
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Prefecture of Kanagawa, Japan. Date Signed: May 7, 2014
- Participating Entity: Prefecture of Kanagawa, Japan
- Signatories: Yuji Kuroiwa, Governor of the Kanagawa Prefecture
- Description: The memorandum addresses the life sciences and healthcare industries, as well as innovation technologies. Specific areas included under the agreement are medical devices, energy, healthcare, robotics, and big data. The Memorandum encourages cooperation and collaboration between innovation agencies based in Massachusetts and their counterparts in the Kanagawa Prefecture. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative are among the state entities involved in fulfilling the terms of the Memorandum.
Mexico
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding to Establish the Innovation Economic Partnership between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Federal District of Mexico; signed Dec. 23, 2014.
- Participating Entity: Federal District of Mexico, Mexico
- Signatories: Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg, Secretary for the Economic Development of the Federal District
- Description: The memorandum formalizes a bilateral relationship to expand job growth and economic opportunities in advanced industries through joint initiatives in trade, investment and innovation following Governor Deval Patrick’s Innovation Partnership Mission to Mexico in March 2014.
Panama
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Secretariat of Science Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) of the Republic of Panama and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Fields of Biotechnology, Energy, Water Innovation Technology, Information Technology, Transportation and Urban Development, Health, Agriculture, and Aerospace and Security Technology; signed Dec. 18, 2014.
- Participating Entity: National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT) of the Republic of Panama
- Signatories: Jorge A. Motta, National Secretary, SENACYT
- Description: The memorandum promotes coordination and collaboration across a broad range of innovation industry sectors, and encourages joint-initiatives over a 3-year period including academic exchange, human networks, and private business activities.
Peru
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Peru; signed June 12, 2013
- Participating Entity: Peru
- Signatories: Ollata Humala, President of Peru
- Description: The memorandum formalizes cooperation between the Commonwealth and Peru on the issues of education, culture, science, and technology development. Academic and language exchanges between the institutions of higher learning in both parties, as well as information sharing, will further the goal of increased collaboration in the future.
Portugal
- Title: Sister State Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Azores Autonomous Region, Portuguese Republic; signed June 26, 2008.
- Participating Entity: Azores Autonomous Region
- Signatories: President Carlos Cesar, Azores Autonomous Region
- Description: Sister State Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Azores Autonomous Region to encourage the growth of trade and investment relations within the framework of global free trade.
South Korea
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Life Sciences and High Technology Industries between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Seoul Metropolitan Government; signed April 19, 2011.
- Participating Entity: Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Signatories: Myunho Shin, Assistant Mayor, Economic Promotion Headquarters, Seoul
- Description: MOU between Massachusetts and Seoul to strengthen ties in the life sciences and high technology industries.
Spain
- Title: Declaration of Intent of Cooperation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Generalitat de Catalunya; signed March 17, 1992.
- Participating Entity: Catalonia, Spain
- Signatories: Joaquim Pujol I Figa, Secretary General-Generalitat de Catalunya
- Description: Declaration of Intent of Cooperation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Generalitat de Catalunya
Spain
- Title: Declaration of Intent of Cooperation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Generalitat de Catalunya; signed June 20, 2012.
- Participating Entity: Catalonia, Spain
- Signatories: Artur Mas i Gavarró, President of Catalonia
- Description: Governor Deval Patrick signs memorandum of understanding between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Catalonia at the2012 BIO Convention. It drafts a new agreement off of the old one to better collaborate in specifically the life sciences, renewable energy, information technology, advanced infrastructure, and academic cooperation.
Sweden and Denmark
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding on Collaboration and Research & Development in the Life Sciences between the Political Regions of Medicon Valley and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed June 20, 2012.
- Participating Entity: Political Regions of Medicon Valley—Skane, Sweden and Zealand, Denmark
- Signatories: Swedish and Danish Government Officials
- Description: The agreement focuses on enhancing research partnerships in life sciences by an exchange of researchers and students; identifying special projects, partnerships or collaborations that can lead to new or enhanced research opportunities; and establishing a framework to be used in joint projects that could be financed by the European Union or National Institute of Health to develop new products and processes that can be used in the global market.
Taiwan
- Title: Memorandum of Understanding of Technical Cooperation between International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China and Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; signed March 31, 2000.
- Participating Entity: International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China
- Signatories: Fadah Hsieh, Director General, International Cooperation Department
- Description: The memorandum promotes the expansion of the economic, investment, trade, and technical partnerships between the International Cooperation Department and MOITI.
Taiwan
- Title: Sister-State Province Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Province of Taiwan, ROC; signed Aug. 25, 1992.
- Participating Entity: Province of Taiwan
- Signatories: Lien Chan, Governor of the Province of Taiwan
- Description: The agreement establishes a sister-state relationship between Massachusetts and Taiwan in order to promote cooperation in expanding and providing information regarding mutual trade and investment activities. The relationship encourages cross-cultural events and academic exchanges between Massachusetts and Taiwan.