Economic cooperation memorandum of understanding: Ontario and South Carolina

memorandum of understanding and cooperation

between

the state of south carolina in the united states of america

and

the province of ontario in canada

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by the State of South Carolina (“SOUTH CAROLINA”) and the Province of Ontario in Canada (“ONTARIO”) (collectively referred to as the “Participants” and individually as the “Participant”).

INTRODUCTION

WHEREAS, the Participants have enjoyed a long-standing, multifaceted relationship grounded in substantial trade, investment, and economic collaboration. This relationship is based on a shared and strong commitment to democratic principles, institutions, and common values, which over time has resulted in building a dense network of connections across economic, scientific, and cultural spheres; and

WHEREAS, the Participants recognize their common desire to reaffirm and further strengthen their cooperation and relationship to address current and future global challenges, with a specific focus on the important and fast-growing areas of critical minerals, mobility, automotive and electric vehicle manufacturing, aerospace, agri-food, life sciences, and energy, including advanced nuclear technologies; and

WHEREAS the Participants concur that the scope of their cooperation is to encompass a wide range of topics and that this MOU may subsequently be broadened by mutual consent.

THEREFORE, in acknowledgement of the mutual benefits outlined herein, the Participants intend to engage in good faith efforts to achieve the goals of continued collaboration based on the following:

1. PURPOSES

The purposes of this MOU are to:

1. Promote and strengthen collaboration and cooperation between SOUTH CAROLINA and ONTARIO, establish the parameters of such cooperation, and deepen ties in the areas identified in Paragraph 2 herein, with the ability to add additional sectors later as needed;
2. Collaborate in furtherance of the objectives outlined herein;
3. Increase economic opportunity for the Participants’ respective citizens and businesses; and
4. Strengthen the bonds that exist between the people of SOUTH CAROLINA and ONTARIO.

2. PRIORITY SECTORS

The Participants will, subject to the applicable laws, rules, regulations, and national and sub-national policies governing the subject matter in SOUTH CAROLINA and ONTARIO, respectively, endeavour to encourage and promote strategic and technical cooperation for mutual benefit in areas related to critical minerals, mobility, automotive and electric vehicle manufacturing, aerospace, agri-food, life sciences, and energy (including nuclear technology).

For each of the priority sectors, the Participants will focus on the following areas:

1. Scientific and educational cooperation, as well as workforce training;
2. Research in support of innovation, and technological development and the exploration of new technologies, technologies; and
3. Any other subject area mutually approved upon by the Participants.

3. PROCEDURES FOR COOPERATION

a. In furtherance of the purposes of this MOU, as articulated in Paragraph 1 and aligned with Section 2, the Participants may carry out the following activities:

1. Exchange publicly available scientific and technical information;
2. Encourage and facilitate study trips, as well as professional and academic exchanges;
3. Encourage collaboration among academic institutions, research and development institutions organizations, and the private sector to work together on joint projects (research and development), training and educational programs initiatives (including vocational training) and the exchange of expertise;
4. Facilitate dialogue between relevant partners through conferences, workshops, and other meetings on jointly determined topics, targeting especially, but not exclusively, specialized professionals, young people, start-ups, and small businesses;
5. Encourage private sector companies and industry bodies to cooperate with one another and to explore further business opportunities (e.g., through trade and investment delegations); and
6. Facilitate other forms of cooperation as the Participants may jointly determine in writing.

b. The South Carolina Department of Commerce, on behalf of SOUTH CAROLINA, and the Ontario Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and Cabinet Office on behalf of ONTARIO, agree to form a working group (the “Working Group”) to meet periodically to coordinate and implement these activities.

1. The Working Group’s agenda(s) and time and place of meetings will be jointly decided upon by the Participants.
2. The host Participant will chair the meeting(s), and both Participants intend to share chairing duties for meeting(s). For meetings, including meetings held by videoconference, with no obvious host, the Participants will jointly decide the chairperson in advance of the meeting.
3. The Participants will aim to conduct an annual review of activities under the MOU to exchange information on progress and to consider future collaboration opportunities. The Working Group would be responsible for undertaking this review, the members of which will update their respective authorized officials accordingly.
4. The Participants understand that they are each responsible for internal and external financial costs that they may incur in connection with the Working Group meetings.

4. FUNDING

This MOU does not involve or require the commitment or transfer of financial or material resources by or between the Participants.

5. APPLICATION

1. SOUTH CAROLINA designates the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and ONTARIO designates the Ontario Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs (collectively, the “Designees” and each a “Designee”) as the coordinating authorities for the Participants’ interactions related to this MOU.
2. The Designees will coordinate the application of the MOU, as appropriate, between and among entities in SOUTH CAROLINA and ONTARIO. The Designees may generate a timeline to foster regular interaction and provide direction in the application of this MOU to help ensure progress in areas of mutual benefit.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

1. If any intellectual property rights arise from activities carried out under the operation of this MOU, the Participants understand they will be attributed, managed and protected in accordance with the Participants’ respective state, provincial and national laws, subject to any alternative arrangements that may be agreed upon in writing by those participating in such specific activity.
2. If the Participants decide to undertake joint research projects under this MOU, they shall establish separate written instruments governing such projects. These instruments shall set out the terms and conditions to provide for the attribution, ownership, use and disposition of any intellectual property that may arise from such joint research projects.

7. INFORMATION SHARING AND CONFIDENTIALITY

1. The Participants confirm that the information exchanged under this MOU will only be disclosed to third parties by mutual consent of the Participants in accordance with Paragraph 8 herein and in a manner consistent with the objectives of the MOU.
2. In circumstances where either Participant is legally obligated to disclose any information related to this MOU under applicable law, by court order, or for another reason, it will notify the other Participant before doing so.

8. THIRD PARTY PARTICIPATION

The Participants acknowledge and approve that individuals and entities from the private, public, academic, research, and other sectors may be invited to support the cooperative activities described herein if they can directly and meaningfully contribute to the achievements of the purposes of the MOU. Subject to each Participant’s discretion, this support may include, but is not limited to, participation by research institutions, economic development organizations, non-governmental and advisory bodies, private enterprise, trade associations and public-private partnerships.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The Participants intend to resolve amicably any questions concerning application of this MOU through mutual consultation and negotiation.
2. This MOU constitutes an expression of the Participants’ good faith intentions to engage in the collaboration described herein.
3. This MOU is not legally binding under state, provincial, national, or international law. It does not constitute an international treaty or create any legal, equitable, or financial rights, obligations, or liabilities for the Participants under domestic or international law.
4. This MOU is effective on the date of its signature and will remain effective until terminated by either Participant. The Participants may amend this MOU at any time upon their mutual written consent. Either Participant may terminate this MOU at any time upon providing 90 days’ written notice of its intention to terminate this MOU. The addresses of the Participants are:

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
1201 Main Street, Suite 1600
Columbia, SC 29201

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
5-99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1A1

Signed in duplicate in the English language in Greenville, South Carolina on June__ in the year of 2026.