Section 9: CUSTOMSDUTIES

The Companies shall be entitled to import, free of customs and other duties, all articles which may be needed exclusively for the conduct of Authorised Operations. This exemption shall not apply in respect of any goods which are available in Sierra Leone of suit able and reasonably comparable quality and atno higher price, provided that in comparing prices of goods available in Sierra Leone 3to the price of imported goods there shall be added any customs or export duties paid in the country of origin as well as other expenses incurred up to the time the imported goods are landed in Sierra Leone. Any articles thus imported may be re-exported by the Compa nies without any permits, and free of all duties but subject to notice to the Government, and for the f llowing purpose only: Repairs which cannot be effected in Sierra Leone, exchange against more modern or more efficient equipment, and return to the place of origin of equipment imported for temporary use. Repaired or renewed parts shall be brought to Sierra Leone within a reasonable time. The Companies may, subject to the consent of the Government, sell in Sierra Leone articles imported by it, provided that the buyer shall pay all applicable duties and conform tothe formalities and rules relating to customs clearance. No. 2 Exploration, Mining and Processing of Mineral 1982 13 Articles needed for personal use of Compaies' employees and their dependants may be imported, subject to thepayment of customs and import duties generally applicable at the time of import. This provision, however, shall not apply to goods and articles brought in for personal use at the time of first entry. Employees of the Companies and their dependants shall enjoy freedom of movement throughout Sierra Leone by anyform of trans port, subject to the observance of any rules concerning such transport. Provided that visits to diamond protected arcas shall be in accordance with a valid permit. The Companies shall be free to retain or dispose of its funds or assets outside Sierra Leone including but not limited to proceeds of any export sales. It shall have the right to export any such funds as it shall have imported or derived from its operations in Sierra Leone. The Companics shall have the right to engage foreign personnel for the conduct of Authorised Operations, provided that it shall employ Nationals of Sierra Leone to the fullest extent possible, and also that it shall train Nationals of Sierra Leone both within the industry and by the grant of scholarships in order that they may replace foreign personnel as soon as reasonably practicable. Programmes and plans for such training shall be drawn up and agreed upon annually by the Government and the Companies. The obligations to train the Nationals of Sierra Leone shali begin to be carried out as soon as practicable after completion of the first producing well. The Companies may entrust the execution of any part of Authorised Operations to independent contractors, provided: (a) that a copy of cach signed contract is submitted to the Government as soon as possible; (b) that the Companies shall, as far as possible select cOntrac tors who are Nationals of Sierra Leone, provided such Nationals are capable of performing the work desired satisfactorily and on terms and conditions which compare favourable with those of expatriate contractors; (c) that the Companies shall remain directly responsible to the Government for the proper performance of the work entrusted to contractors.