Date: 12 December 1990

Venue: Damascus

Provisions

Proceeding from the Arab and fraternity links combining the two sister countries; and

In their desire and interest to develop and consolidate the links of mutual cooperation in the economic and trade fields, and to develop the same on the basis of mutual benefits and joint interests in consistency with the objectives of the Arab economic cooperation and integration,

The governments of the State of Qatar and the government of the Arab Republic of Syria have agreed as follows:

Article1

Each country shall permit the export of agricultural, livestock, industrial products and raw material to the other country. Similarly, the other country shall permit the import of such products, pursuant to the legislations in each country.

Article 2

The re-export of imported products from either of the two countries to a third country is not permitted, unless upon the prior consent of the country of origin.

Article 3

The agricultural, livestock, industrial products, and raw material originating from one of the two parties to the agreement and imported by the other, shall be exempted from customs. An agreement of such products shall be made in lists to be prepared by the joint committee.

Article 4

For the purpose of implementing Article 3 above, the products exported by either of the parties to the agreement shall be enclosed with a certificate of origin to be issued by the competent authorities in the country of origin. Each industrial product with a local added value of product amounting to (40%) of final value upon finishing shall be deemed as an industrial product of a Qatari or Syrian origin. The laws and regulation applicable in each country shall be observed in this respect.

Article 5

Agricultural products shall be enclosed with a certificate to the effect that such products are free of all diseases and plant epidemics. Furthermore, foodstuffs shall be enclosed with a certificate of validity for human consumption. The certificates issued by the country of origin shall be deemed as certificates issued by the authorities of the importing country, for the purposes of this agreement.

Article 6

Both the countries shall seek to develop the mutual economic cooperation as follows:

1.     Establishment of joint venture enterprises and joint companies to operate in the economic development in both the countries.

2.     Investment of the capitals of each country and each country’s citizens in the fields of economy, tourism, health and constructions in the other country.

3.     Encouragement of tourism, summer tourism and institution of joint tourism projects.

4.     The projects and funds of each country invested in the other country shall benefit from all privileges and facilities provided by the laws and regulations of investment in both the countries.

Article 7

The two governments of the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Syria shall permit the following:

1.     Access of capitals of respective citizens for investment of the various economic fields.

2.     Transfer of revenues generated from investment of capitals as aforesaid in the foregoing article.

3.     Re-transfer of capitals of the aforesaid capitals upon the lapse of four years of investment, or six months of initial access into the country, in case a force majeure prevented the investment of such capitals.

Article 8

The current payments under the provisions of this agreement between the natural and legal personalities shall be paid in any convertible currency to be agreed upon by the contracting parties.

Article 9

Each contracting party shall grant the other party the necessary facilities for the institution of trade fairs and product markets, as well as to participate in such international fairs and exhibitions.

Article 10

A.   The parties to the agreement shall seek to grant necessary facilities for the transit of goods, trucks and drivers of such trucks to the other country through respective lands, in conformity with the legislation in the two countries, as well as Arab and international conventions applicable on both parties.

B.   Each contracting party shall exempt the personal goods and personal effects and the means of transport of the same that belong to the other party, while in transit, from custom duties and transit and other charges, except for fair and reasonable expenses and considerations for transit services, provided that such expenses shall not exceed levies on the imported goods of such country. Such personal goods, personal effects, and the means of transport thereof, shall not be subject to any impeding restrictions, pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations in each country.

          Article 11

A.   In the desire of both parties to properly implement this agreement and in order to secure extending the mutual benefits and interests contained therein, the two parties have agreed to form a joint Qatar-Syrian committee, to convene at least once every year; or upon request by either party, in Damascus or Doha. The functions of the committee shall be as follows:

1.     To propose measures for the implementation of the provisions hereof.

2.     To propose the lists of products originating from the contracting parties; required to be exempted from custom duties.

3.     Provision of solutions for difficulties resulting from the implementation of this agreement, which obstruct cooperation and the development of the exchange of trade. To figure out solutions for difference emerging due to contracts concluded under this agreement.

4.     To submit proposals for the amendment of this agreement to allow for expansion of trade exchange and development of economic relationships between the two countries.

B.   The proposals, amendments and recommendations approved by the joint committee shall become effective on the date of ratification of the same by the two countries.

Article 12

1.     This agreement shall be ratified in accordance with the formalities applicable in each of the parties to the agreement. It shall be effective from the date of ratification thereof by the two parties to the agreement. The agreement shall be valid for three years, renewable on a year by year basis, unless either of the two parties to the agreement notifies the other of its desire not to renew, at least three months of any current year, upon extension.

2.     In case operation under this agreement should be terminated, the provisions thereof shall remain valid and in force for all contracts and undertakings concluded in accordance with the provisions thereof, until the complete finalization of such contracts.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto signed this Agreement.

Done at Damascus this 15^th day of Jumada I, 1411H corresponding the 2^nd Day of December 1990, in authentic copy, in Arabic.

Signature of Authorized Signatory

For the government of the State of Qatar

Minister of Economy & Trade

For the government of the Arab Republic of Syria

Minister of Economy & Foreign Trade