Free Trade Area of the Americas - FTAA |
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Scope of Application [Return to the top of the page] DEFINITION OF INVESTMENT The term “investment” comprises every kind of asset, invested by an investor of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party, according to the latter’s laws and regulations. This general definition is illustrated by a non exhaustive list of five groups of specific rights, including:
DEFINITION OF INVESTOR Nationals The term “national” means:
The treaty only applies to investments made in the territory of one Contracting Party by natural persons who are nationals of the other Contracting Party if they have not been domiciled in the host country for more than two years and have proved that the investment was admitted from abroad. (Art. 1 (5)). Companies The term “company” means any legal person constituted under the laws and regulations of a Contracting Party, and having its seat in the territory of said Party, irrespective of whether or not its activities are directed at profit. (Article 1 (4)). Application in Time (Entry into Force and Duration: Applicability to Investments made Prior to Entry into Force) Date of signature: August 2, 1991 Admission [Return to the top of the page] Each Contracting Party shall promote, in its territory, investments of nationals or companies of the other Party, and shall admit these investments in accordance with its legislation. (Article 2 (1)). Treatment [Return to the top of the page] STANDARDS Fair and Equitable Treatment Yes. (Article 2 (1)). Full Protection and Security Yes. Investments of nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party shall enjoy full protection. (Article 2 (2)). Non-Discrimination Yes. Each Contracting Party shall not impair the management, use, enjoyment or disposal of investments of investors of the other Contracting Party through arbitrary or discriminatory measures. (Article 2 (3)). National Treatment Yes. With respect to investments of nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party (paragraph 1) and nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party with regard to their activities related to investments (paragraph 2), each Contracting Party shall grant treatment no less favorable than that it grants to investments of its own nationals or companies (paragraph 1), or those of third state; and to its own nationals and companies (paragraph 2) and those of third States. (Article 3). Most-Favored Nation Treatment Yes. With respect to investments of nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party (paragraph 1) and nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party with regard to their activities related to investments (paragraph 2), each Contracting Party will grant treatment no less favorable than that it grants to investments of its own nationals or companies (paragraph 1) and those of third state; and to its own nationals and companies (paragraph 2) and those of third States. (Article 3). Exceptions Treatment accorded in Article 3 does not apply to privileges accorded by either Contracting Party to nationals and companies of third States, by virtue of membership or association with a customs union or economic union, common market or free trade area. (Article 3 (3)). Moreover, such treatment does not apply to privileges accorded by a Contracting Party to nationals or companies of third States with respect to an investment related to concessional financing provided in a bilateral agreement between a Contracting Party and the country where the investment came from. (Article 3 (3)). Treatment accorded in Article 3 does not apply to privileges accorded to nationals and companies of third States under a taxation agreement. (Article 3 (4)). OTHER ASPECTS Performance Requirements --- Others If the provisions in the legislation of a Contracting Party, or if the existing or future obligations under international law between the two Contracting Parties, or if an agreement between an investor of a Contracting Party and the other Contracting Party include provisions granting investments of investors of the first Contracting Party a more favorable treatment, these provisions shall prevail (if they are more favorable). (Article 7 (1)). Each Contracting Party shall fulfill the other obligations it has contracted with respect to the investments of nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party. (Article 7 (2)). Nationals or companies of one Contracting Party suffering losses due to war or armed conflict, revolution, national emergency or uprising in the territory of the other Contracting Party shall not be treated less favorably than investors or companies of the latter Contracting Party with regard to restitution, compensation, indemnification or other settlement. These payments shall be transferable. (Article 4 (3)). Transfers [Return to the top of the page] TYPES OF PAYMENT Returns Yes. Each Contracting Party shall guarantee to nationals or companies of the other Contracting Party the free transfer of payments with respect to investments, in particular:
Repayment of Loans Yes. (Article 5 (1) (c)). Proceeds of the Total or Partial Liquidation of an Investment Yes. (Article 5 (1) (d)). Licenses and Other Fees --- Other Categories of Payment Yes. (Article 5 (1) (a), (e)). CONVERTIBILITY, EXCHANGE RATES, AND TIMES OF TRANSFER Currency The transfer shall be effected without delay in accordance with the procedure established in the territory of each Contracting Party, in convertible currency at the rate in effect which shall be equivalent to the most favorable exchange rate. (Article 5 (2)). Exchange Rates The transfer shall be effected in convertible currency at the rate in effect which shall be equivalent to the most favorable exchange rate. (Article 5 (2)). Time of Transfer The transfer shall be effected without delay. (Article 5 (2)). A transfer shall be considered without delay when effected within the normal time necessary to fulfill the formalities with respect to the transfer. In any case, the time shall not exceed two months, starting when the request is presented. (Article 5 (3)). Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5 of the Treaty, Chile shall guarantee the right of repatriation for the capital invested by Argentine investors, three years after its arrival. (Paragraph 3 of the Protocol). Expropriation [Return to the top of the page] DEFINITION Covered Expropriatory Measures Expropriation, nationalization or measures which have a similar effect. (Article 4 (2)). CONDITIONS Public Purpose and Non-Discrimination Yes. No mention of non-discrimination. (Article 4 (2)). Due Process of Law and Judicial Review Yes. (Article 4 (2)). Other --- Compensation Standard; Form and Time of Payment Compensation shall:
Settlement of Disputes
between Contracting Parties PRE-ARBITRATION NEGOTIATIONS Any dispute between the Contracting Parties concerning the
interpretation or application of the Agreement shall, whenever possible,
be settled amicably. (Article 9 (1)). ARBITRATION Constitution of the Tribunal The arbitral tribunal shall be constituted ad hoc.
Procedural Rules of the Tribunal The arbitral tribunal shall determine its own procedure. Applicable Law No reference. Settlement of Disputes between a Contracting Party and an Investor [Return to the top of the page] DEFINITION Any dispute relating to investments between an investor of one Contracting Party and the other Contracting Party will, to the extent possible, be settled through amicable consultations. If it was not possible to settle the dispute within a period of six months, it shall be submitted, at the request of the investor:
Election by the investor of either one of these procedures shall be definitive. (Article 10 (1)(2)). PREARBITRAL CONSULTATIONS AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS --- ARBITRAL SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Conditions --- Consent --- Forms of Arbitration Where the dispute is referred to international arbitration, the investor may refer the dispute to:
Applicable Law The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement; with reference to the laws of the Contracting Party involved in the dispute; terms of any specific agreement concluded in relation to such an investment; and, principles of international law. (Article 10 (4)). |
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