The Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Portugal (hereinafter referred to as “the two contracting parties”),

Desiring to extend and strengthen their economic, commercial and technical cooperation for their mutual benefit,

Hereby agree as follows:

Article 1

Purpose of the Agreement

1-      This agreement establishes a framework between the two contracting parties for economic, commercial and technical cooperation in fields such as industry, energy, tourism, agriculture, communications, transport and construction.

2-      Such cooperation shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations hereof and on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

Article 2

Facilitation of Trade

The two contracting parties shall work to increase and facilitate the import and export of their industrial and agricultural products, as well as services and raw materials, in accordance with the relevant prevailing laws and regulations.

Article 3

Facilitation of transport

The contracting parties shall encourage and facilitate the transport of exchanged goods between them and shall tighten transport services affiliated to each of them wherever possible.

Article 4

Mode of Payment

The mode of payment and currency used in transactions concluded between natural and legal persons of the two contracting parties shall be encouraged within the framework hereof through the use of freely transferable currencies to be agreed upon.

Article 5

Mechanisms of Cooperation

Each contracting party shall:

a)      Encourage cooperation and the exchange of visits among businessmen and representatives of chambers of commerce and industry from similar institutions and corporations to attend international exhibitions, fairs and markets organized in the territory of the other contracting party.

b)      Allow the other contracting party to organize exhibitions, fairs and markets in its territory, and each party shall provide to the other party all facilities and assistance necessary to realize its objectives within the limits of laws and regulations applicable in the country of each contracting party.

Article 6

Training and Technical Cooperation

Each contracting party shall:

A)    Encourage cooperation among their government and private institutions, corporations and public welfare agencies in carrying out joint technical and economic projects, in addition to exchanging experts in various technical fields to provide the required assistance and support.

B)      Encourage and facilitate the participation of their nationals in technical and economic training and qualification programs to be held in the territory of the other contracting party, and coordinate efforts in the fields of research, innovation and relevant studies.

Article 7

Joint Committee

The two contracting parties agree on the formation of a joint commercial committee for economic, commercial and technical cooperation consisting of representatives of government bodies from both parties. The committee shall meet periodically and alternately in the two countries at the request of either of the contracting parties, and the task of the joint committee shall be to execute the provisions hereof, especially:

1. Suggesting procedures pertinent to the facilitation of the provisions hereof.
2. Studying means to strengthen and boost economic, commercial and technical cooperation.
3. Expanding and encouraging the scope of commercial exchange and removal of commercial obstacles.
4. Contributing to the discovery and resolution of problems resulting from the interpretation and application of the provisions hereof.
5. Providing suggestions related to the amendment hereof for the purpose of expanding aspects of commercial exchange and developing economic relations between the two contracting parties.

Article 8

Settlement of Disputes

Where disputes that may arise in the application of the provisions hereof cannot be settled by the joint committee, the two contracting parties shall settle such disputes through negotiations via diplomatic channels.

Article 9

Consistency with Multilateral Treaties

This agreement shall not affect other agreements concluded or that will be concluded by either of the two contracting parties with another country.

Article 10

Amendment

1-      This agreement may be amended by the mutual written consent of the two contracting parties.

2-      This agreement shall enter into force in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 hereof.

Article 11

Term and Termination

1-      This agreement shall be valid for an initial period of five years and shall thereafter be renewed annually by tacit approval.

2-      Either of the two contracting parties may terminate this agreement by serving written notice to the other party, within six months of the expiry of the five-year period specified in paragraph 1 above, of its desire to terminate the agreement.

3-      Upon termination of this agreement, all obligations and undertakings arising from it or from any deal made in accordance with its provisions shall remain valid and binding until such obligations and undertakings are fulfilled.

Article 12

Entering into Force

This agreement shall enter into force after thirty days from the date of receiving the last written notice through diplomatic channels indicating that all internal requirements for the execution of this agreement by both contracting parties have been met.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized by their respective governments, have signed this agreement.

DONE at the city of Doha, this Monday, the seventh of March 2011. The Arabic, Portuguese and English versions are equally authentic. In case of divergence in the interpretation hereof, the English text shall prevail.