MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND RELATED FIELDS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA

The Republic of the Philippines, represented herein by the Department of Agriculture and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, represented herein by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, herein referred to as the “Participants”,

DESIRING to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries through cooperation in agriculture and related fields;

RECOGNIZING the importance of agriculture in national development and its contribution in uplifting the standard of living of the peoples of both countries;

Hereby decide to pursue cooperation programs and exchanges through this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as “MOU”) to be implemented as follows;

PARAGRAPH 1
General Provisions

The two Participants will promote scientific, technical and economic cooperation in the field of agriculture, guided by the laws and relevant regulations of their respective countries.

PARAGRAPH 2
Areas of Cooperation

Cooperation will be in the areas of crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry production, processing and value adding, product distribution and marketing, sericulture and other additional fields to be added by the Participants.

Cooperation will be effected through, but not limited to the exchange of resource materials and information, joint publications, research and development, exchange of scientists, experts and trainees, organization of trainings, symposia and conferences, conduct of strategic market facilitation activities including agricultural products. Trade fairs and special exhibitions, joint ventures and other means as may be added upon.

PARAGRAPH 3
Implementation of Arrangement

The Participants decide to negotiate specific project arrangements in accordance with the provisions of this MOU to implement the aforementioned areas of cooperation.

PARAGRAPH 4
Joint committee

A Joint Committee comprised of an equal member of representatives from both sides will be established to determine joint activities and to provide guidance, review the progress of activities and facilitate cooperation. The lead coordinating agencies will be as follows;

For the Republic of the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture.

For the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

The Joint Committee will meet once every tow years in alternating countries.

Each Participant will designate a Liaison Secretary who will be a permanent member of the Joint Committee.

The Liaison Secretaries will communicate regularly to coordinate administrative and technical details of project implementation.

PARAGRAPH 5
Expenses and Other Agreements

Each Participant will bear the costs of its participation in cooperative activities unless the Participants decide on other arrangements. Activities pursuant to the MOU are subject to the availability of funds and personnel and to the laws and regulations of the respective countries of the Participants. For information and material exchanges, the requesting participant will shoulder the cost of postage and freight of materials/documents being requested.

Each Participant will endeavor to provide necessary assistance to professionals, technicians and trainees sent by the other Participant under the MOU. Laws and regulation in the host country will be observed by visiting missions.

The foregoing provision will not limit the right of either Participant to adopt or execute measures necessary to uphold public health, morals, public order or security.

PARAGRAPH 6
Confidentiality

The Participants will ensure that the scientific and technical information mutually provided, including the results of research carried out under the MOU, are not transferred to a Third Party without prior consent of the other Participant. If both Participants are aware that a patentable invention or copyrighted material may result from an activity undertaken under the auspices of this MOU, the allocation of intellectual property rights will be decided upon prior to the implementation of the activity.

PARAGRAPH 7
Dispute Settlement

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation, application and implementation of this MOU will be settled amicably by consultation or negotiation through domestic channels between Participants.

PARAGRAPH 8
Amendment

Either Participant may request in writing, through diplomatic channels, revisions or amendments to this MOU. Any revision or amendment mutually decided upon by the Participants will become effective in accordance with the procedure mentioned in paragraph 9 of this MOU.

PARAGRAPH 9
Effectivity and Validity

This MOU will come into effect on the date of the later notification in written form by the Participants, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic legal requirements for its effectivity have been complied with. It will be in force for five (5) years, unless terminated earlier by either Participant giving a six month written notification to the other Participant. It may be modified or extended through written confirmation of both Participants. The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect ongoing activities or projects undertaken under it until they are fully implemented unless the participants decide otherwise.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Memorandum of Understanding.

Done in duplicate in Manila, Philippines on this 16th day of January 2019 in the English language, both texts being equally authentic.