Title

Agreement between ltaly and Niger for Economic and Technical Cooperation

Preamble

The Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Republic of Niger, motivated by the desire to facilitate the realization of a program of economic and technical cooperation between the two countries, both in the public and private sectors, have agreed as follows:

Body

Article 1.

The Government of the Italian Republic will facilitate the realization of the projects which the Government of the Republic of Niger considers useful to submit to it, particularly as regards the participation of Italian industry and technology in the economic and social development of the Republic of Niger. In particular, the two Governments will facilitate initiatives aimed at studying and setting up programs to develop in Niger, through the employment of Italian technicians and equipment, the construction of public works and communication networks and the exploitation of economic resources.

Article 2.

In order to encourage the initiatives mentioned in Article 1, the Government of the Republic of Niger will guarantee to Italian companies operating in Niger treatment no less favorable than that accorded to companies from any other country under the laws and regulations in force and the conventions existing between those countries and the Republic of Niger, as regards the transfer of salaries and income, as well as the repatriation of capital.

Article 3.

The Government of the Italian Republic will facilitate the employment of Italian technicians and specialists in Nigeria on the basis of contracts to be concluded directly between the Nigerien Government on the one hand and the Italian technicians and specialists on the other. The Italian Government will also assist in the training of Nigerian technicians in Italy, in particular by granting scholarships.

Article 4.

The Government of the Italian Republic is prepared to grant Italian companies, upon request, authorizations for the supply of capital goods to Nigerian public and private companies, in accordance with the legislation in force in Italy. For its part, the Government of the Republic of Niger undertakes to authorize the transfer, at each due date, of the sums due to Italian creditors, in accordance with the legislation in force in Niger.

Article 5.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the economic and technical cooperation provided for in this Agreement, a Joint Economic Cooperation Commission shall be set up, made up of representatives of the two Governments, assisted, if necessary, by technicians.

Article 6.

The Joint Commission provided for in Article 5 shall meet alternately in Rome and in Niamey, whenever the two Parties deem it necessary, to examine the projects drawn up in conformity with the present Agreement. The Joint Commission shall submit to the Governments documented recommendations on matters within its competence. The Joint Commission shall promote the exchange of technical information and experience between the two countries, and in particular shall ensure the development of technical cooperation activities, in the following forms:

a) exchange of information on legislation which may have an impact on the matters covered by this Agreement;

b) exchange of publications and technical information;

c) exchange of experts;

d) assignment of patent rights and licensing of patents;

e) training and specialization of technicians and workers;

f) transfer of technical documentation;

g) collaboration between economic, technical and scientific bodies;

h) collaboration between companies and organizations of both countries in the sectors of industry, agriculture, construction, transport and trade;

i) study missions.

Article 7.

This Agreement shall enter into force upon the exchange of the instruments of ratification. It shall have a duration of three years and shall be renewed by tacit agreement for the same period until one of the Parties denounces it with a notice of three months before its expiration. The denunciation of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of contracts already concluded, which shall benefit until their term from the guarantees granted under this Agreement.

Conclusion

Done at Niamey on July 5, 1968 in duplicate in the French language.

For the Government of the Italian Republic

Vincenzo Bolasco

Italian Ambassador

For the Government of the Republic of Niger

Abdou Sfdikou

Secretary of State in charge of Foreign Affairs