An economic partnership agreement (or trade agreement) is between two countries. The agreement's main purpose is to lower tariffs and other trade barriers. The agreement includes provisions to promote investment, collaboration on economic and technical matters, and protect intellectual property rights. These agreements promote economic integration between the countries. These agreements usually include preferential access for markets, promote investment, and cooperate on technical and economic issues. These contracts could also contain provisions to protect intellectual property rights. Bilateral or multilateral economic partnership agreements are possible. Bilateral economic partnership agreements are between two countries. Multilateral economic partnership arrangements are between three or more.