2. State Parties agree, in line with their undertakings as set out in the Annex 3 of the Protocol, to approach their negotiations for agreements for the avoidance of double taxation with countries outside the region on the basis of mutually agreed principles. ARTICLE 16 TRADE, INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY In recognizing the importance of the link between trade and investment, State Parties agree to pursue trade openness and intra-regional industrial policies and to reduce barriers to intra-regional trade in pursuance of the principles of the SADC Protocol on Trade and any other relevant SADC instruments. ARTICLE 17 HARMONISATION OF POLICIES AND LAWS State Parties shall pursue harmonisation with the objective of developing the region into a SADC investment zone, which shall, among others, include the harmonisation of investment regimes including policies, laws and practices in accordance with the best practices within the overall strategy towards regional integration. ARTICLE 18 CONDITIONS FAVOURING LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 1. State Parties shall establish conditions favouring the participation of leastdeveloped countries of SADC in the economic integration process, based on the principles of non-reciprocity and mutual benefit. · 2. For the purpose of ensuring that least-developed countries of SADC receive effective preferential treatment, State Parties shall investigate the establishment of market openings as well as the setting up of programmes and other specific forms of cooperation including in relation to derogations in respect of investment incentives. ARTICLE 19 ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND PRACTICES State Parties may consider acceding to multilateral agreements on investment designed to promote or protect investments, including but not limited to: (a) the ICSID Convention of 1965; (b) the MIGA Convention, 1985; and (c) the New York Convention, 1958. 14