The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone (hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Parties), desiring to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries, to support the ties between their peoples, and to develop cooperation between their countries in the economic, commercial, investment, educational, scientific, cultural, media, tourism, youth and sports fields, and in recognition of the benefits that may arise to the two countries as a result of enhancing cooperation between them in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries, have agreed on the following: Article 1 The contracting parties shall encourage economic, commercial and investment cooperation between their countries and their citizens who are persons of a natural or legal nature. Such cooperation includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Cooperating in all economic fields, including industrial, petroleum, mineral, petrochemical, agricultural, animal, tourism, and health projects.
2. Encouraging the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise necessary for limited cooperative programs.
Article 2
The contracting parties shall use their best endeavours to promote, expand, and diversify their commercial relationship within the framework of international trade law.
Article 3
1. The contracting parties shall encourage and facilitate investments by nationals and facilitate them in all fields, except those excluded in accordance with the internal regulations of their respective countries.
2. The contracting parties shall encourage the establishment of investment projects in accordance with the investment laws and regulations in force in both countries.
3. The contracting parties shall use their best endeavours to work towards the conclusion of an agreement for the promotion and protection of investment between the two countries.
Article 4
1. The contracting parties shall encourage the exchange of visits by representatives, delegations, and economic, commercial, and technical missions, whether they are from the public sector or the private sector.
2. The contracting parties shall encourage participation in trade fairs held in both countries, and shall provide the necessary facilities for this.
Article 5
The contracting parties shall:
1. Encourage cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research, and science and technology through the exchange of information in fields of common interest, the exchange of information relating to scientific and technical research, the exchange of visits between officials, researchers, experts, and technicians, the training of researchers and technical assistants, and participate in scientific seminars and conferences of common interest.
2. Encourage cooperation in the cultural, sports, and youth fields by coordinating positions in international forums, exchange programs between sports and youth institutions, associations, and federations, as well as exchange visits and experiences between those responsible for youth and sports affairs.
3. Encourage cooperation in the visual, audio, and print media fields through the exchange of visits and experiences between public and private media organizations in the software and technical fields, the exchange of audio-visual and print materials, and participation in relevant festivals.
4. Encourage and develop tourism between the two countries through the exchange of tourism information between them, and encourage collective and individual tourism for citizens of both countries.
Article 6
The contracting parties hereby agree not to use the information exchanged between them except for the purposes assigned to it in accordance with what is agreed upon between them, and each party shall not transfer any information exchanged between them to a third party without the written consent of the other contracting party.
Article 7
1. The contracting parties shall conclude independent agreements in specific fields of common interest whenever the need arises.
2. The relevant entities in the two countries shall negotiate the preparation of joint executive cooperation programs in any of the fields stipulated in this agreement, and these programs must be approved through the joint committee, if any.
Article 8
The contracting parties shall form a joint committee to follow up on the implementation of these agreements if the need arises.
Article 9
1. This agreement enters into force from the date of the last mutual notice through diplomatic channels confirming the termination of the legal procedures for its ratification.
2. The term of this agreement is 5 (five) years, starting from the date of its entry into force, and it is automatically renewed for a period or consecutive periods, each of which is for a period of one year, unless one of the parties informs the other party—in writing—of its desire to terminate it at least six months before the expiry of the period of entry into force.
3. In the event of the termination of this agreement, its provisions remain in force with regard to the programs, projects, or agreements that have been concluded in light of it, or the contracts and obligations resulting from them, which have not been completed upon the expiry of its operation, or the rights that have arisen in light of it and have not yet been settled in accordance with its provisions, as well as with regard to the liquidation of current financial positions and entitlements before the expiry of its operation, whether they all relate to governments or persons of a natural or legal nature.
4. Any dispute arising in connection with the interpretation or application of this agreement must be settled through negotiations and consultations between the parties.
This agreement is made in the city of Riyadh on Friday 26 Rabi Al-Thani 1445, corresponding to 10 November 2023, in two original copies in the Arabic and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.
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For the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Timothée Moussa Kaba Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation |
For the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud Minister of Foreign Affairs |
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5041 issued on 2 August 2024.
