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ANNEX 602.3

1. The Mexican State reserves to itself the following strategic activities and investment in such activities:

(a) exploration and exploitation of crude oil and natural gas; refining or processing of crude oil and natural gas; and production of artificial gas, basic petrochemicals and their feedstocks; and pipelines; and

(b) foreign trade; transportation, storage and distribution, up to and including first hand sales of the following goods: crude oil; natural and artificial gas; goods covered by this Chapter obtained from the refining or processing of crude oil and natural gas; and basic petrochemicals.

2. In the event of an inconsistency between Annex 602.3, paragraphs 1, 5(a) and 6, and another provision of this Agreement, the provisions of Annex 602.3, paragraphs 1, 5(a) and 6, shall prevail to the extent of that inconsistency.

3. Natural Gas and Petrochemical Feedstock Trade

Where end-users and suppliers of natural gas or basic petrochemical goods consider that cross-border trade in such goods may be in their interests, the Parties agree that such end-users and suppliers, and state enterprises of the Parties as may be required under their domestic law, shall have the right to negotiate supply contracts.

The modalities of implementing such arrangements are left to the end-users, suppliers and state enterprises of the Parties as may be required under their domestic law and may take the form of individual contracts between the state enterprise and each of the other entities. Such contracts may be subject to regulatory approval.

4. Performance Contracts