(d) The disputing Party does not waive any objection as to competence or any argument on the merits merely because the disputing Party did or did not raise an objection under this paragraph or make use of the expedited procedure set out in paragraph 3.

3. In the event that the disputing Party so requests within 45 days after the tribunal is constituted, the tribunal shall decide on an expedited basis an objection under paragraph 2 and any objection that the dispute is not within the tribunal's competence. The tribunal shall suspend any proceedings on the merits and issue a decision or award on the objection(s), stating the grounds therefor, no later than 150 days after the date of the request. However, if a disputing party requests a hearing, the tribunal may take an additional 30 days to issue the decision or award. Regardless of whether a hearing is requested, a tribunal may, on a showing of extraordinary cause, delay issuing its decision or award by an additional brief period, which may not exceed 30 days.

4. When it decides a disputing Party's objection under paragraph 2 or 3, the tribunal may, 7 if warranted, award to the prevailing disputing party reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred in submitting or opposing the objection. In determining whether such an award is warranted, the tribunal shall consider whether either the claimant's claim or the disputing Party's objection was frivolous, and shall provide the disputing parties a reasonable opportunity to comment.

Article 15. Interim Measures of Protection and Diplomatic Protection

1. Neither Party shall prevent the disputing investor from seeking interim measures of protection, not involving the payment of damages or resolution of the substance of the matter in dispute before the courts or administrative tribunals of the respondent Party, prior to the institution of proceedings before any of the dispute settlement fora referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 11 (Institution of Arbitral Proceedings), for the preservation of its rights and interests.

2. Neither Party shall give diplomatic protection, or bring an international claim, in respect of a dispute which one of its investors and the other Party shall have consented to submit or have submitted to arbitration under this Section, unless such other Party has failed to abide by and comply with the award rendered in such dispute. Diplomatic protection, for the purposes of this paragraph, shall not include informal diplomatic exchanges for the sole purpose of facilitating a settlement of the dispute.

Article 16. Award

1. Where a tribunal makes a final award against a respondent Party, the tribunal may award, separately or in combination, only:

(a) monetary damages and any applicable interest; and

(b) restitution of property, in which case the award shall provide that the respondent Party may pay monetary damages and any applicable interest in lieu of restitution.

A tribunal may also award costs and attorney's fees in accordance with this Section and the applicable arbitration rules.

2. Any arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the disputing parties. Each Party shall ensure the recognition and enforcement of the award in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations.

3. Where a claim is submitted on behalf of an enterprise of the respondent Party, the arbitral award shall be made to the enterprise.

4. In any arbitration conducted under this Section, at the request of a disputing party, a tribunal shall, before issuing a decision or award on liability, transmit its proposed decision or award to the disputing parties. Within 60 days after the tribunal transmits its proposed 9 decision or award, the disputing parties may submit written comments to the tribunal concerning any aspect of the proposed decision or award. The tribunal shall consider any such comments and issue its decision or award not later than 45 days after the expiration of the 60-day comment period.

Article 17. Consolidation

1. Where two or more claims have been submitted separately to arbitration under this Section, and the claims raised have a question of law or fact in common and arise out of the same events or circumstances, any disputing party may seek a consolidation order, in accordance with the agreement of all the disputing parties sought to be covered by the order or the terms of this Article.

2. A disputing party that seeks a consolidation order under this Article shall deliver, in writing, a request to the Secretary-General of ICSID and to all the disputing parties sought to be covered by the order, specifying the name and address of all the disputing parties sought to be covered by the order; the nature of the order sought; and the grounds on which the order is sought.

3. Unless the Secretary-General of ICSID finds within 30 days after receiving a request in conformity with paragraph 2 that the request is manifestly unfounded, a tribunal shall be established under this Article.

4. Unless all the disputing parties sought to be covered by the consolidation order otherwise agree, the tribunal established under this Article shall comprise three arbitrators. who shall not be nationals or permanent residents of either Party, and who shall be appointed as follows:

(a) one arbitrator appointed by agreement of the disputing investors;

(b) one arbitrator appointed by the respondent Party; and

(c) the chairman of the arbitral tribunal appointed by the Secretary-General of ICSID.

5. If, within the 60 days after the Secretary-General receives a request made under paragraph 2, the respondent Party fails or the disputing investors fail to appoint an arbitrator in accordance with paragraph 4, the Secretary-General, on request of any disputing party sought to be covered by the order, shall appoint the arbitrator or arbitrators not yet appointed.

6. Where a tribunal established under this Article is satisfied that two or more claims that have been submitted to arbitration in accordance with Article 11 (Institution of Arbiiral Proceedings) have a question of law or fact in common, and arise out of the same events or circumstances, the tribunal may, in the interest of fair and efficient resolution of the claims, and after hearing the disputing parties, by order:

(a) assume jurisdiction over, and hear and determine together, all or part of the claims;

(b) assume jurisdiction over, and hear and determine one or more claims, whose determination it considers would assist in the resolution of the other claims; or

(c) instruct a tribunal previously established under Article 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) to assume jurisdiction over and to hear and determine together, all or part of the claims, provided that:

(i) that tribunal, at the request of any disputing investor, not previously a disputing party before that tribunal, shall be reconstituted with its original members, except that the arbitrator for the disputing investors shall be appointed pursuant to paragraphs 4(a) and 5; and

(ii) that tribunal shall decide whether any previous hearing must be repeated.

7. Where a tribunal has been established under this Article, a disputing investor that has submitted a claim to arbitration pursuant to Article 11 (Institution of Arbitral Proceedings) and that has not been named in a request made under paragraph 2, may make a written request to the tribunal that it be included in any order issued under paragraph 6, specifying:

(a) the name and address of the disputing investor;

(b) the nature of the order sought; and

(c) the grounds on which the order is sought.

The claimant shall provide the Secretary-General with a copy of his request.

8. A tribunal established pursuant to this Article shall conduct the proceedings m accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, except as modified by this Section.

9. A tribunal established under Article 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) shall not have jurisdiction to decide a claim or a part of a claim over which a tribunal established or instructed under this Article has assumed jurisdiction.

10. On application of a disputing party, a tribunal established pursuant fo this Article may, pending its decision under paragraph 6, order that the proceedings of a tribunal established under Article 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) be stayed, unless the latter tribunal has already adjourned its proceedings.

Section TWO. Settlement of Disputes between the Parties

Article 18. Scope

1. This Section applies to the settlement of disputes between the Parties arising from the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Agreement.

2. This Section shall not apply to any dispute concerning any measure adopted or maintained or any treatment accorded to investors or investments by a Party in respect of tobacco or tobacco-related products (7) that is aimed at protecting or promoting human health.

Article 19. Consultations and Negotiations

1. Either Party may request in writing, consultations on the interpretation or application of this Agreement. If a dispute arises between the Parties on the interpretation or application of this Agreement, it shall, to the extent possible, be settled amicably through consultations and negotiation.

2. In the event the dispute is not settled through the means mentioned above within six months from the date such negotiations or consultations were requested in writing, either Party may submit such dispute to an arbitral tribunal established in accordance with this Section or, by agreement of the Parties, to any other international tribunal.

Article 20. Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal

1. Arbitration proceedings shall initiate upon written notice delivered by one Party (hereinafter referred to as "requesting Party") to the other Party (hereinafter referred to as "respondent Party") through diplomatic channels. Such notice shall contain a statement setting forth the provisions of Chapter II alleged to have been breached, the legal and factual grounds of the claim, a summary of the development and results of the consultations and negotiations pursuant to Article 19 (Consultations and Negotiations), the requesting Party's intention to initiate proceedings under this Section and the name of the arbitrator appointed by such requesting Party.

2. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice, the respondent Party shall notify the requesting Party of the name of its appointed arbitrator.

3. Within 30 days following the date on which the second arbitrator was appointed, the Parties shall appoint, by mutual agreement, a third arbitrator, who shall be the chairman of the arbitral tribunal. In the event that the Parties fail to mutually agree on the appointment of the third arbitrator, the arbitrators appointed by the Parties shall, within 30 days, appoint the third arbitrator, who shall be the chairman of the arbitral tribunal.

4. The arbitrators shall:

(a) have experience or expertise in public international law, international trade law or international investment law; and

(b) be independent from the Parties, and not be affiliated to or receive instructions from either of them.

5. With regards to the selection of arbitrators under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, both Parties and, where relevant, the arbitrators appointed by them, shall not select arbitrators that are nationals or permanent residents of either Party.

6. If within the time limits set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the required appointments have not been made, either Party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to appoint the arbitrator or arbitrators not yet appointed. If the President is a national or a permanent resident of either Party, or he or she is otherwise unable to act, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the said appointments. If the Vice-President is a national or a permanent resident of either Party, or he or she is otherwise unable to act, the Member of the International Court of Justice next in seniority who is not a national nor a permanent resident of either Party shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.

7. In case an arbitrator appointed under this Article resigns or becomes unable to act, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as prescribed for the appointment of the original arbitrator, and he or she shall have the same powers and duties that the original arbitrator had.

8. Each Party shall bear the costs of its appointed arbitrator and of any legal representation in the proceedings. The costs of the chairman of the arbitral tribunal and of other expenses associated with the conduct of the arbitration shall be borne equally by the Parties, unless the arbitral tribunal decides that a higher proportion of costs be borne by one of the Parties.

Article 21. Place of Arbitration

Unless the Parties agree otherwise, the place of arbitration shall be determined by the tribunal.

Article 22. The Arbitral Proceedings

1. A tribunal established under this Section shall decide all questions relating to its competence and, subject to any agreement between the Parties, determine its own procedure. At any stage of the proceedings, the arbitral tribunal may propose to the Parties that the dispute be settled amicably. At all times, the arbitral tribunal shall afford a fair hearing to the Parties.

2. The arbitral tribunal shall decide the issues in dispute in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable rules and principles of international law.

3. The arbitral tribunal shall reach its decision by majority vote. The award shall be issued in writing and shall contain the applicable factual and legal findings. A signed award shall be delivered to each Party. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties.

Chapter IV. Final Provisions

Article 23. Other Obligations

If the legislation of either Party or international obligations existing at present or established hereafter between the Parties in addition to this Agreement, result in a position entitling investments by investors of the other Party to treatment more favourable than is provided for by this Agreement, such position shall not be affected by this Agreement.

Article 24. Denial of Benefits

Subject to prior notification and consultation, a Party may deny the benefits of this Agreement to an investor of the other Party that is an enterprise of such Party and to investments of such an investor where the Party establishes that the enterprise is owned or controlled by persons of a non-Party, or of the denying Party, and has no substantive business operations in the territory of the other Party.

Article 25. Transparency

1. Each Party shall ensure that its laws, regulations and administrative rulings of general application pertaining to or affecting any matter covered by this Agreement are promptly published or otherwise made available in such a manner as to enable interested persons or Parties to become acquainted with them. International agreements pertaining to or affecting investors or investment activities to which a Party is a signatory shall also be published.

2. To the extent possible, each Party shall make the measures and international agreements of the kind referred to in paragraph 1 available on the internet. Each Party shall, upon request by the other Party, promptly respond to specific questions from and provide information to the other Party with respect to matters referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 26. Disclosure of Information

Nothing in this Agreement shall require either Party to provide confidential information the disclosure of which would impede law enforcement, or otherwise be contrary to the public interest, or which would prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of particular enterprises, public or private.

Article 27. General Exceptions (8)

Subject to the requirement that such measures are not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination against the other Party or its investors where like conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on investments of investors of the other Party in the territory of a Party, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the adoption or enforcement by a Party of measures:

(a) necessary to protect public morals or to maintain public order (9);

(b) necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health;

(c) necessary to secure compliance with laws or regulations which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement including those relating to:

(i) the prevention of deceptive and fraudulent practices or to deal with the effects of a default on a contract;

(ii) the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to the processing and dissemination of personal data and the protection of confidentiality of individual records and accounts; or

(iii) safety;

(d) imposed for the protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value; or

(e) relating to the conservation of exhaustible natural resources if such measures are made effective in conjunction with restrictions on domestic production or consumption.

Article 28. Security Exceptions

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to:

(a) require a Party to furnish any information, the disclosure of which it considers contrary to its essential security interests; or

(b) preclude a Party from applying measures that it considers necessary for the fulfilment of its obligations with respect to the maintenance or restoration of international peace or security, or the protection of its own essential security | interests.

Article 29. Entry Into Force, Duration and Termination

1. Each Party shall notify the other Party of the fulfillment of its internal legal procedures required for the bringing into force of this Agreement. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day from the date of notification of the later Party.

2. The Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties in writing. The amendments shall enter into force in accordance with the same legal procedure prescribed under the first paragraph of this Article.

3. This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of 15 years and shall continue in force thereafter unless, after the expiry of the initial period of 14 years, either Party notifies in writing the other Party of its intention to terminate this Agreement. The notice of termination shall become effective one year after it has been received by the other Party.

4. In respect of investments made prior to the date when the notice of termination of this Agreement becomes effective, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in force for a further period of 15 years from that date.

Conclusion

DONE in SINGAPORE, on 27 AUGUST 2014.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF BURKINA FASO

PATIENDE ARTHUR KAFANDO

MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND HANDICRAFT

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

S. ISWARAN

MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AND SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Attachments

ANNEX 1. Expropriation

The Parties confirm their shared understanding that:

1. An action or a series of actions by a Party cannot constitute an expropriation unless it interferes with a tangible or intangible property right or property interest in an investment.

2. Paragraph 1 of Article 5 (Expropriation) addresses two situations. The first is direct expropriation, where an investment is nationalised or otherwise directly expropriated through formal transfer of title or outright seizure.

3. The second situation addressed by paragraph 1 of Article 5 (Expropriation) is indirect expropriation, where an action or series of actions by a Party has an effect equivalent to direct expropriation without formal transfer of title or outright seizure.

(a) The determination of whether an action or series of actions by a Party, in a specific fact situation, constitutes an indirect expropriation, requires a case-by- case, fact-based inquiry that considers, among other factors:

(i) the economic impact of the government action, although the fact that an action or series of actions by a Party has an adverse effect on the economic value of an investment, standing alone, does not establish that an indirect expropriation has occurred;

(ii) the extent to which the government action interferes with distinct, reasonable investment-backed expectations; and

(iii) the character of the government action.

Except in rare circumstances, non-discriminatory regulatory actions by a Party that are designed and applied to protect legitimate public welfare objectives, such as public health, safety and the environment, do not constitute indirect expropriation.