ANNEX IV Terms of Reference for a feasibility study on international cooperation in advanced manufacturing

I. PURPOSE

This document sets out the terms of reference for the participants to study the feasibility of entering into international cooperation in research and development in the field of advanced manufacturing.

II. PRINCIPLES

WHEREAS, manufacturing is a primary generator of wealth and is critical to establishing a sound economic basis for economic growth;

WHEREAS, the need for great sophistication in manufacturing operations has become critical as a result of the establishment of global markets;

WHEREAS, the role of research and development in the field of advanced manufacturing is increasingly pivotal to manufacturing operations;

WHEREAS, substantial advanced manufacturing research is being carried out worldwide;

WHEREAS, properly managed international collaboration in advanced manufacturing research could help improve manufacturing operations; and

WHEREAS, participants to discussions held in Tokyo on November 19 and 20, 1990 shared the view that international collaboration in advanced manufacturing could only proceed upon the following bases:

III. FEASIBILITY STUDY

The feasibility study will consist of two (2) parts:

IV. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY

A. Funding. B. Committees. The feasibility study will be carried out through the following committee structure. C. Secretariat

The Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General XIII (DGXIII), the US Department of Commerce (USDOC), Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Industry, Science and Technology Canada (ISTC), and Australia's Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (DITAC) and an appropriate governmental agency designated by the European Free Trade Association will act as the secretariat during the feasibility study to disseminate programmatic information.

V. TIME FRAME

Participants will make every effort to complete selection of members for the International Steering and Technical Committees within sixty (60) days after the last intention of each Participant is conveyed to the other Participants.

After the establishment of these Committees, it is expected that the feasibility study will be deemed completed when research and development test cases show sufficient results on which the decision concerning the establishment of an international program in advanced manufacturing should be based and the International Steering Committee has completed its deliberations. The aim should be to complete the feasibility study within a reasonable period, preferably within eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months. These Committees shall be disbanded upon the completion of the feasibility study.

When the feasibility study has been completed, the Participants will decide whether to establish an international program in advanced manufacturing based upon experienced from the feasibility study.


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gaines@cpsc.ucalgary.ca 28-Aug-94