Title

Trade, Promotion and Investment Protection Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Central African Republic

Preamble

The Government of the Swiss Confederation

And

The Government of the Central African Republic,

Desiring to enhance the bonds of friendship between their two countries;

Desiring to develop trade flows between their territories;

Desiring to create favourable conditions for investment of capital,

Have agreed as follows:

Body

Article 1. Most-favoured-nation Treatment

Each High Contracting Parties agree to grant each other the most favoured nation treatment with respect to tariffs and customs formalities.

However, the most-favoured-nation treatment does not extend to the privileges, exemptions and concessions that each of the contracting parties is or will be:

‐ In countries adjacent to frontier traffic;

‐ The countries with a customs union or a free-trade area already established or which may be established in the future.

Article 2. Import Regime In Switzerland

The Government of the Swiss Confederation continues to accord the same liberal regime existing date as the import of products originating in Switzerland and from the Central African Republic.

Article 3. Import Regime In the Central African Republic

The Government of the Central African Republic to grant imports of products originating in and coming from Switzerland treatment no less favourable than that accorded to any third country.

Article 4. Business Information

The competent authorities of both Governments shall communicate to each other in a timely manner all relevant information concerning trade, including the import and export statistics. any review of trade in goods and the balance of trade between the two countries is based on both sides import statistics.

Article 5. Payment Arrangements

Payments between the Swiss Confederation and the Central African Republic, including the settlement of goods traded within the framework of this Agreement shall be made in convertible currencies.

Article 6. Promotion and Protection of Investments

Each Contracting Party shall promote as far as possible investment capital in its territory by nationals or companies, foundations, associations of the other Contracting Party and admit such investments in accordance with its legislation.

Investment as well as the property rights and interests belonging to nationals or companies, foundations, associations of one of the High Contracting Parties in the territory of the other party or indirectly held by those nationals or companies, foundations, associations will receive treatment which is fair and equitable and not less than that granted by each party to its nationals or, if it is more favourable treatment accorded to nationals or companies, foundations, associations most-favoured nation.

Each Party shall allow the free transfer of proceeds of labour or activity carried out in its territory by nationals or companies, foundations, associations of the other contracting party, as well as the free transfer of profits, interest, dividends, royalties and other income, depreciation and, in the event of partial or total liquidation of the product.

If a party or nationaliserait expropriate property rights or interests belonging to nationals or companies, foundations, associations of the other party or indirectly held by those nationals or companies, foundations, associations, or will be taken against those nationals or companies associations, foundations, any other measures of dispossession, direct or indirect, it shall provide for the payment of adequate and effective compensation in accordance with international law.

The amount of such compensation shall be fixed at the time of expropriation, nationalization or dispossession, other shall be settled in a currency transferable and shall be paid without undue delay to the claimant, irrespective of his place of residence, respectively its headquarters.

However, the measures of expropriation, nationalization or dispossession other shall not be discriminatory, nor contrary to a specific commitment.

Article 7. Arbitration Clause for the Protection of Investments

If any dispute should arise between the contracting parties concerning the interpretation or the implementation of the provisions of Article 6 above and the dispute cannot be settled within a period of six months in a satisfactory manner through diplomatic channels, it shall be submitted, at the request of either party to an arbitral tribunal of three members. each Party shall appoint an arbitrator. the two arbitrators appointed shall appoint the Umpire who shall be a national of a third State.

If a Party has not appointed its arbitrator and has not followed the invitation of the other party within two months of such appointment, the arbitrator shall be appointed by the latter Party upon request by the President of the International Court of Justice. if the two arbitrators cannot reach an agreement within two months after their appointment, at the choice of an umpire, the latter shall be appointed upon the request of either party by the President of the International Court of Justice. if in the cases specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article, the President of the International Court of Justice is prevented or if he is a national of either party, the appointment shall be made by the Vice-President. if the latter is prevented or if he is a national of either party, the appointment shall be made by the most senior member of the Court who is not a national of either party. unless the Parties decide otherwise, the tribunal shall determine its own procedure. the decisions of the Tribunal shall be binding on the parties.

Article 8. Implementation of the Agreement In Liechtenstein

Articles 1 to 5 of this Agreement shall apply to the Principality of Liechtenstein as long as it relates to the Swiss Confederation by a customs union treaty.

Article 9. Entry Into Force and Extension

This Agreement shall be valid provisionally upon signature.

It shall enter into force when the contracting parties will have notified each other of the completion of the constitutional formalities required for the conclusion and entry into force of international treaties.

It shall be renewed on a yearly basis tacitly renewed until one or the other of the High Contracting Parties I will not be terminated by written notice of three months before its expiration.

In the event of termination, the provisions of articles 6 and 7 above shall apply for a period of ten years for investments made prior to the termination of the Agreement.

Conclusion

Done in duplicate at Bangui on 28 February 1973.