Article 1 
The aim of this Decision is to promote and accelerate the economic, cultural and social development and to strengthen the economic structures of the OCT listed in Annex I. Article 2 The Community shall provide support for the OCT's efforts to achieve comprehensive development based on their cultural and social values, their human capacities, their natural resources and their economic potential in order to promote the OCT's social, cultural and economic progress and the well-being of their populations through the satisfaction of their basic needs, the recognition of the role of women and the enhancement of people's capacities, with respect for their dignity. Such development shall be based on a sustainable balance between economic objectives, the rational management of the environment and the enhancement of natural and human resources. Article 3 Cooperation shall be directed towards development centred on man, the main protagonist and beneficiary of development, which thus entails respect for, and promotion of, all human rights. Cooperation operations shall thus be conceived in accordance with the positive approach, where respect for human rights is recognized as a basic factor of real development and where cooperation is conceived as a contribution to the promotion of these rights. The role and potential of initiatives taken by individuals and groups shall also be recognized and fostered in order to achieve in practice real participation of the population in the development process. Article 4 The Community and the OCT shall give special importance and high priority to regional cooperation and integration. In this context, the Community shall offer effective support for the OCT's efforts to organize themselves into regional groupings and to step up their cooperation at regional and inter-regional level with a view to promoting a more just and more balanced international economic order. Article 5 The Community acknowledges the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed OCT and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting them. It shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population. Cooperation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed OCT to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development. Article 6 Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 2 
The Community shall provide support for the OCT's efforts to achieve comprehensive development based on their cultural and social values, their human capacities, their natural resources and their economic potential in order to promote the OCT's social, cultural and economic progress and the well-being of their populations through the satisfaction of their basic needs, the recognition of the role of women and the enhancement of people's capacities, with respect for their dignity. Such development shall be based on a sustainable balance between economic objectives, the rational management of the environment and the enhancement of natural and human resources. Article 3 Cooperation shall be directed towards development centred on man, the main protagonist and beneficiary of development, which thus entails respect for, and promotion of, all human rights. Cooperation operations shall thus be conceived in accordance with the positive approach, where respect for human rights is recognized as a basic factor of real development and where cooperation is conceived as a contribution to the promotion of these rights. The role and potential of initiatives taken by individuals and groups shall also be recognized and fostered in order to achieve in practice real participation of the population in the development process. Article 4 The Community and the OCT shall give special importance and high priority to regional cooperation and integration. In this context, the Community shall offer effective support for the OCT's efforts to organize themselves into regional groupings and to step up their cooperation at regional and inter-regional level with a view to promoting a more just and more balanced international economic order. Article 5 The Community acknowledges the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed OCT and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting them. It shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population. Cooperation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed OCT to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development. Article 6 Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 3 
Cooperation shall be directed towards development centred on man, the main protagonist and beneficiary of development, which thus entails respect for, and promotion of, all human rights. Cooperation operations shall thus be conceived in accordance with the positive approach, where respect for human rights is recognized as a basic factor of real development and where cooperation is conceived as a contribution to the promotion of these rights. The role and potential of initiatives taken by individuals and groups shall also be recognized and fostered in order to achieve in practice real participation of the population in the development process. Article 4 The Community and the OCT shall give special importance and high priority to regional cooperation and integration. In this context, the Community shall offer effective support for the OCT's efforts to organize themselves into regional groupings and to step up their cooperation at regional and inter-regional level with a view to promoting a more just and more balanced international economic order. Article 5 The Community acknowledges the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed OCT and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting them. It shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population. Cooperation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed OCT to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development. Article 6 Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 4 
The Community and the OCT shall give special importance and high priority to regional cooperation and integration. In this context, the Community shall offer effective support for the OCT's efforts to organize themselves into regional groupings and to step up their cooperation at regional and inter-regional level with a view to promoting a more just and more balanced international economic order. Article 5 The Community acknowledges the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed OCT and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting them. It shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population. Cooperation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed OCT to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development. Article 6 Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 5 
The Community acknowledges the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed OCT and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting them. It shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population. Cooperation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed OCT to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development. Article 6 Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 6 
Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the authorities participating in the partnership framework referred to in Article 10 shall examine periodically the results of the implementation thereof and provide any necessary impetus and opinions for the attainment of the objectives of this Decision. Any questions that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Decision may be raised in the context of this procedure.
Article 7 
In order to encourage all parties from the OCT and the Community which are in a position to contribute to the autonomous development of the OCT to put forward and implement initiatives, cooperation shall also support, within limits laid down by the relevant OCT authorities, development operations put forward by economic, social and cultural organizations in the framework of decentralized cooperation, in particular where they combine the efforts and resources of organizations from the OCT and their counterparts from the Community. This form of cooperation shall be aimed in particular at making the capabilities, original operating methods and resources of such parties available to the development of the OCT. The parties referred to in this Article are decentralized public authorities, rural and village groupings, cooperatives, firms, trade unions, teaching and research centres, non-governmental development organizations, various associations and all groups and parties which are able to, and wish to, make their own spontaneous and original contribution to the development of OCT. Article 8 Cooperation shall encourage and support the initiatives of the OCT parties referred to in Article 7, provided they correspond with the priorities, guidelines and development methods adopted by the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned. In this framework, cooperation shall support either the independent activities of OCT parties or the activities of OCT parties which are combined with support from similar parties from the Community which make their capabilities, experience, technological and organizational capacities or financial resources available to them. Cooperation shall encourage parties from the OCT and the Community to provide supplementary financial and technical resources for the development effort. Cooperation may provide decentralized cooperation operations with financial and/or technical support drawn from the resources provided for in this Decision under the conditions laid down in Article 9. This form of cooperation shall be organized in accordance with the role and the prerogatives of the public authorities of the OCT. Article 9 Decentralized cooperation operations may be supported through the instruments of development finance cooperation, with the approval of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, preferably from the programming stage, of the principle of and the conditions for providing support for this form of cooperation. Such support shall be provided to the extent to which it is necessary for the successful implementation of the proposed operations provided the usefulness of the latter has been recognized and in accordance with the provisions for financial and technical cooperation. Projects under this form of cooperation may be linked, or not, with programmes in the focal sectors of the indicative programmes, with priority for those linked to the focal sectors. Article 10 With the aim of enabling the competent local authorities of the OCT to take greater part, in the framework of the respective constitutions of the Member States having responsibility for them, in giving effect to the principles of the EEC-OCT association, while respecting the powers of the respective central authorities of the Member States concerned, a consultation procedure based on the principle of partnership between the Commission, the Member State and the OCT is hereby set up. This partnership, the detailed provisions for which are set out in Articles 234 to 236 of this Decision, shall provide the opportunity for examining what has been achieved in the association and discussing any problems arising in relations between the OCT and the Community.
Article 8 
Cooperation shall encourage and support the initiatives of the OCT parties referred to in Article 7, provided they correspond with the priorities, guidelines and development methods adopted by the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned. In this framework, cooperation shall support either the independent activities of OCT parties or the activities of OCT parties which are combined with support from similar parties from the Community which make their capabilities, experience, technological and organizational capacities or financial resources available to them. Cooperation shall encourage parties from the OCT and the Community to provide supplementary financial and technical resources for the development effort. Cooperation may provide decentralized cooperation operations with financial and/or technical support drawn from the resources provided for in this Decision under the conditions laid down in Article 9. This form of cooperation shall be organized in accordance with the role and the prerogatives of the public authorities of the OCT. Article 9 Decentralized cooperation operations may be supported through the instruments of development finance cooperation, with the approval of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, preferably from the programming stage, of the principle of and the conditions for providing support for this form of cooperation. Such support shall be provided to the extent to which it is necessary for the successful implementation of the proposed operations provided the usefulness of the latter has been recognized and in accordance with the provisions for financial and technical cooperation. Projects under this form of cooperation may be linked, or not, with programmes in the focal sectors of the indicative programmes, with priority for those linked to the focal sectors. Article 10 With the aim of enabling the competent local authorities of the OCT to take greater part, in the framework of the respective constitutions of the Member States having responsibility for them, in giving effect to the principles of the EEC-OCT association, while respecting the powers of the respective central authorities of the Member States concerned, a consultation procedure based on the principle of partnership between the Commission, the Member State and the OCT is hereby set up. This partnership, the detailed provisions for which are set out in Articles 234 to 236 of this Decision, shall provide the opportunity for examining what has been achieved in the association and discussing any problems arising in relations between the OCT and the Community.
Article 9 
Decentralized cooperation operations may be supported through the instruments of development finance cooperation, with the approval of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, preferably from the programming stage, of the principle of and the conditions for providing support for this form of cooperation. Such support shall be provided to the extent to which it is necessary for the successful implementation of the proposed operations provided the usefulness of the latter has been recognized and in accordance with the provisions for financial and technical cooperation. Projects under this form of cooperation may be linked, or not, with programmes in the focal sectors of the indicative programmes, with priority for those linked to the focal sectors. Article 10 With the aim of enabling the competent local authorities of the OCT to take greater part, in the framework of the respective constitutions of the Member States having responsibility for them, in giving effect to the principles of the EEC-OCT association, while respecting the powers of the respective central authorities of the Member States concerned, a consultation procedure based on the principle of partnership between the Commission, the Member State and the OCT is hereby set up. This partnership, the detailed provisions for which are set out in Articles 234 to 236 of this Decision, shall provide the opportunity for examining what has been achieved in the association and discussing any problems arising in relations between the OCT and the Community.
Article 10 
With the aim of enabling the competent local authorities of the OCT to take greater part, in the framework of the respective constitutions of the Member States having responsibility for them, in giving effect to the principles of the EEC-OCT association, while respecting the powers of the respective central authorities of the Member States concerned, a consultation procedure based on the principle of partnership between the Commission, the Member State and the OCT is hereby set up. This partnership, the detailed provisions for which are set out in Articles 234 to 236 of this Decision, shall provide the opportunity for examining what has been achieved in the association and discussing any problems arising in relations between the OCT and the Community.
Article 11 
1. In the framework of this Decision, the protection and the enhancement of the environment and natural resources, the halting of the deterioration of land and forests, the restoration of ecological balances, the preservation of natural resources and their rational exploitation are basic objectives that the OCT concerned shall strive to achieve with Community support with a view to bringing an immediate improvement in the living conditions of their populations and to safeguarding those of future generations. 2. The Community recognizes that the existence of some OCT is under threat as a result of a rapid deterioration in the environment that hinders any development efforts, in particular those aimed at achieving the priority objectives of food self-sufficiency and food security. For many OCT, efforts to halt this deterioration of the environment and conserve natural resources are imperative and call for the preparation and implementation of coherent modes of development that have due regard for ecological balances. Article 12 The dimension of the environmental problem and of the means to be deployed mean that operations will have to be carried out in the context of overall, long-term policies, drawn up and implemented by the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned at local, national, regional or international level with international support. To this end, the Community shall give priority to: - a preventive approach aimed at avoiding harmful effects on the environment as a result of any programme or operation, -a systematic approach that will ensure ecological viability at all stages, from identification to implementation, -a trans-sectoral approach that takes into account not only the direct but also the indirect consequences of the operations undertaken. Article 13 The protection of the environment and natural resources requires a comprehensive approach embracing the social and cultural dimensions. In order to ensure that this specific dimension shall be taken into account, attention shall be given to incorporating suitable educational, training, information and research schemes in projects and programmes. Article 14 Cooperation instruments appropriate to environmental needs shall be designed and implemented. Where necessary, both qualitative and quantitative criteria may be used. Jointly approved check-lists, adopted, where appropriate, in the course of the partnership consultations provided for in Articles 234 to 236, shall be used to help estimate the environmental viability of proposed operations, whatever their scale. Environmental impact assessment shall be carried out as appropriate in the case of large-scale projects and those posing a significant threat to the environment and should, as a minimum: -describe the measures planned to avoid or reduce any major adverse consequences and, where possible, to remedy any such consequences, -provide the necessary information for identifying and evaluating the main effects the project is likely to have on the environment. For the proper integration of environmental considerations, physical inventories, where possible translated into accounting terms, shall be drawn up. The implementation of these instruments has to ensure that, should an adverse environmental impact be foreseen, the necessary corrective measures are formulated in the early stage of the preparation of the proposed project or programme so that it can go ahead in accordance with the planned timetable, though improved in terms of environmental and natural resource protection. Article 15 The Community, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the environment and natural resources, considers that the areas of EEC-OCT cooperation covered in this part of this Decision must be systematically examined and appraised in this light. In this spirit, the Community shall support efforts made by the relevant OCT authorities at local, national, regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in furtherance of local, national and intergovernmental policies and priorities. Article 16 1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 12 
The dimension of the environmental problem and of the means to be deployed mean that operations will have to be carried out in the context of overall, long-term policies, drawn up and implemented by the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned at local, national, regional or international level with international support. To this end, the Community shall give priority to: - a preventive approach aimed at avoiding harmful effects on the environment as a result of any programme or operation, -a systematic approach that will ensure ecological viability at all stages, from identification to implementation, -a trans-sectoral approach that takes into account not only the direct but also the indirect consequences of the operations undertaken. Article 13 The protection of the environment and natural resources requires a comprehensive approach embracing the social and cultural dimensions. In order to ensure that this specific dimension shall be taken into account, attention shall be given to incorporating suitable educational, training, information and research schemes in projects and programmes. Article 14 Cooperation instruments appropriate to environmental needs shall be designed and implemented. Where necessary, both qualitative and quantitative criteria may be used. Jointly approved check-lists, adopted, where appropriate, in the course of the partnership consultations provided for in Articles 234 to 236, shall be used to help estimate the environmental viability of proposed operations, whatever their scale. Environmental impact assessment shall be carried out as appropriate in the case of large-scale projects and those posing a significant threat to the environment and should, as a minimum: -describe the measures planned to avoid or reduce any major adverse consequences and, where possible, to remedy any such consequences, -provide the necessary information for identifying and evaluating the main effects the project is likely to have on the environment. For the proper integration of environmental considerations, physical inventories, where possible translated into accounting terms, shall be drawn up. The implementation of these instruments has to ensure that, should an adverse environmental impact be foreseen, the necessary corrective measures are formulated in the early stage of the preparation of the proposed project or programme so that it can go ahead in accordance with the planned timetable, though improved in terms of environmental and natural resource protection. Article 15 The Community, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the environment and natural resources, considers that the areas of EEC-OCT cooperation covered in this part of this Decision must be systematically examined and appraised in this light. In this spirit, the Community shall support efforts made by the relevant OCT authorities at local, national, regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in furtherance of local, national and intergovernmental policies and priorities. Article 16 1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 13 
The protection of the environment and natural resources requires a comprehensive approach embracing the social and cultural dimensions. In order to ensure that this specific dimension shall be taken into account, attention shall be given to incorporating suitable educational, training, information and research schemes in projects and programmes. Article 14 Cooperation instruments appropriate to environmental needs shall be designed and implemented. Where necessary, both qualitative and quantitative criteria may be used. Jointly approved check-lists, adopted, where appropriate, in the course of the partnership consultations provided for in Articles 234 to 236, shall be used to help estimate the environmental viability of proposed operations, whatever their scale. Environmental impact assessment shall be carried out as appropriate in the case of large-scale projects and those posing a significant threat to the environment and should, as a minimum: -describe the measures planned to avoid or reduce any major adverse consequences and, where possible, to remedy any such consequences, -provide the necessary information for identifying and evaluating the main effects the project is likely to have on the environment. For the proper integration of environmental considerations, physical inventories, where possible translated into accounting terms, shall be drawn up. The implementation of these instruments has to ensure that, should an adverse environmental impact be foreseen, the necessary corrective measures are formulated in the early stage of the preparation of the proposed project or programme so that it can go ahead in accordance with the planned timetable, though improved in terms of environmental and natural resource protection. Article 15 The Community, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the environment and natural resources, considers that the areas of EEC-OCT cooperation covered in this part of this Decision must be systematically examined and appraised in this light. In this spirit, the Community shall support efforts made by the relevant OCT authorities at local, national, regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in furtherance of local, national and intergovernmental policies and priorities. Article 16 1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 14 
Cooperation instruments appropriate to environmental needs shall be designed and implemented. Where necessary, both qualitative and quantitative criteria may be used. Jointly approved check-lists, adopted, where appropriate, in the course of the partnership consultations provided for in Articles 234 to 236, shall be used to help estimate the environmental viability of proposed operations, whatever their scale. Environmental impact assessment shall be carried out as appropriate in the case of large-scale projects and those posing a significant threat to the environment and should, as a minimum: -describe the measures planned to avoid or reduce any major adverse consequences and, where possible, to remedy any such consequences, -provide the necessary information for identifying and evaluating the main effects the project is likely to have on the environment. For the proper integration of environmental considerations, physical inventories, where possible translated into accounting terms, shall be drawn up. The implementation of these instruments has to ensure that, should an adverse environmental impact be foreseen, the necessary corrective measures are formulated in the early stage of the preparation of the proposed project or programme so that it can go ahead in accordance with the planned timetable, though improved in terms of environmental and natural resource protection. Article 15 The Community, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the environment and natural resources, considers that the areas of EEC-OCT cooperation covered in this part of this Decision must be systematically examined and appraised in this light. In this spirit, the Community shall support efforts made by the relevant OCT authorities at local, national, regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in furtherance of local, national and intergovernmental policies and priorities. Article 16 1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 15 
The Community, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the environment and natural resources, considers that the areas of EEC-OCT cooperation covered in this part of this Decision must be systematically examined and appraised in this light. In this spirit, the Community shall support efforts made by the relevant OCT authorities at local, national, regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in furtherance of local, national and intergovernmental policies and priorities. Article 16 1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 16 
1. The Community undertakes, for its part, to make every effort to ensure that international movements of hazardous waste and radioactive waste are generally controlled, and emphasizes the importance of efficient international cooperation in this area. With this in view, the Community shall prohibit all direct or indirect export of such waste to the OCT while at the same time the relevant authorities of the OCT shall prohibit the direct or indirect import into their territory of such waste from the Community or from any other country, without prejudice to specific international undertakings concerning these two areas that have been made, or may be made, in future in the competent international forums. These provisions shall not prevent a Member State to which an overseas country or territory has chosen to export waste for processing from returning the processed waste to the overseas country or territory of origin. The Community and, where necessary, the relevant authorities of the OCT shall expedite adoption of the necessary internal legislation and administrative regulations to implement this undertaking. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT undertake to monitor strictly the implementation of the prohibition measures referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1. 3. The term 'hazardous waste' within the meaning of this Article shall cover categories of products listed in Annexes 1 and 2 to the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. As regards radioactive waste, the applicable definitions and thresholds shall be those which will be laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the meantime, the said definitions and thresholds shall be those specified in Annex VI. Article 17 At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 17 
At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT, the Community shall provide available technical information on pesticides and other chemical products with a view to helping the OCT develop or reinforce a suitable and safe use of these products. Where necessary and in accordance with the provisions for development finance cooperation, technical assistance can be given in order to ensure conditions of safety at all stages, from production to disposal of such products. Article 18 The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 18 
The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT recognize the value of exchanging views, using consultation machinery provided for in this Decision, on major ecological hazards, whether on a planetary scale (such as the greenhouse effect, the deterioration of the ozone layer, tropical forests, and so on), or of a more specific scope resulting from the application of industrial technology. Such consultations may be requested by the Commission, a Member State or the relevant authorities of an overseas country or territory, in so far as these hazards may in practice affect a country or territory, and shall be aimed at assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this Decision. If necessary, the consultations will also provide for an exchange of views prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international forums.
Article 19 
Cooperation in the agricultural and rural sector, that is arable farming, livestock production, fisheries and forestry, shall be aimed, inter alia, at: - continuously and systematically promoting viable and sustainable development based in particular on protection of the environment and the rational management of natural resources, -supporting the OCT's efforts to increase their degree of self-sufficiency in food, in particular by strengthening their capacity to provide their populations with food of adequate quantity and quality and to ensure a satisfactory level of nutrition, -reinforcing food security at local, regional and inter-regional level by stimulating regional trade flows of food products and improving coordination of the food policies of the countries concerned, -guaranteeing the rural population incomes that will significantly improve their standard of living, in order to be able to cover their essential needs in the areas of food, education, health and living conditions, -encouraging the active participation of the rural population, both men and women, in their own development by organizing small farmers into associations and integrating producers, men and women, more effectively into national and international economic activity, -increasing the participation of women in their capacity as producers, notably by improving access to all factors of production (land, inputs, credit, extension services and training), -creating satisfactory living conditions and a satisfactory life style in the rural environment, notably by developing social and cultural activities, -improving rural productivity, notably by transfers of appropriate technology and the rational exploitation of plant and animal resources, -reducing post-harvest losses, -reducing the workload of women by, inter alia, promoting suitable post-harvest and food-processing technologies, -diversifying job-creating rural activities and expanding activities that back up production, -improving production by on-the-spot processing of the products of arable and livestock farming, fisheries and forestry, -ensuring a better balance between food crops and export crops, -developing and strengthening agricultural research tailored to the natural and human environment of the country and the region and meeting extension service and food security requirements, -in the context of the above objectives, protecting the natural environment particularly through specific operations to protect and conserve ecosystems. Article 20 1. Operations to attain the objectives referred to in Article 19 shall be as varied and practical as possible, at local, regional and inter-regional level. 2. They shall be designed and deployed to implement the policies and strategies established by the relevant authorities of the OCT and respect their priorities. 3. Support shall be provided for such policies and strategies in the context of agricultural cooperation in accordance with the provisions of this Decision. Article 21 1. Development of production calls for a rational stepping-up of animal and crop production and involves: -improving farming methods for rain-fed crops while conserving soil fertility, -developing irrigated crops, inter alia, through different types of agricultural water schemes (village water engineering, regulation of watercourses and soil improvement) ensuring optimum use and thrifty management of water which can be mastered by farmers and by local communities; operations shall also consist in the rehabilitation of existing schemes, -improving and modernizing cultivation techniques and making better use of factors of production (improved varieties and breeds, agricultural equipment, fertilizers, plant treatment preparations), -in the sphere of livestock farming, improving animal feed (more effective management of pasture, increased fodder production, more new water-points and repair of existing ones) and animal health, including the development of the infrastructure required for that purpose, -better integration of arable and livestock farming, -in the sphere of fisheries, modernizing fish-farming and developing aquaculture. 2. Other prerequisites for the development of production are: -the extension of secondary and tertiary back-up activities for agriculture, such as the manufacture, modernization and promotion of agricultural and rural equipment and other inputs and, where necessary, their importation, -the establishment or consolidation of agricultural savings and credit facilities adapted to local conditions in order to promote access to production factors for farmers, -the encouragement of all policies and incentives for producers which are appropriate to local conditions with a view to greater productivity and to improving farmers' incomes. Article 22 In order to ensure a return on output, agricultural cooperation shall contribute to: - adequate means of preservation and suitable storage facilities for producers, -effective control of disease, pests and other factors causing production losses, -basic marketing arrangements underpinned by suitable organization of producers, with the necessary material and financial resources, and by adequate means of communication, -flexible operation of marketing channels, taking account of every form of public or private initiative, to enable local markets, areas of the country with shortfalls and urban markets to be supplied, in order to cut down dependence on outside sources, -facilities to prevent breaks in supplies (security storage) and guard against erratic price fluctuations (intervention storage), -processing, packaging and marketing of products, particularly by developing artisanal and agro-industrial units, in order to adapt them to the trend of the market. Article 23 Rural promotion measures shall involve: -the organization of producers within associations or communities in order to enable them to derive more benefit from joint contracts and investment and jointly owned equipment, -encouragement for the participation of women and for recognition of the active role they play as full partners in the rural production and economic development processes, -the development of social and cultural activities (such as health, education and culture) essential for improving rural life styles, -suitable extension service to train all farmers, both men and women, -improvements in the training of instructors at all levels. Article 24 Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 20 
1. Operations to attain the objectives referred to in Article 19 shall be as varied and practical as possible, at local, regional and inter-regional level. 2. They shall be designed and deployed to implement the policies and strategies established by the relevant authorities of the OCT and respect their priorities. 3. Support shall be provided for such policies and strategies in the context of agricultural cooperation in accordance with the provisions of this Decision. Article 21 1. Development of production calls for a rational stepping-up of animal and crop production and involves: -improving farming methods for rain-fed crops while conserving soil fertility, -developing irrigated crops, inter alia, through different types of agricultural water schemes (village water engineering, regulation of watercourses and soil improvement) ensuring optimum use and thrifty management of water which can be mastered by farmers and by local communities; operations shall also consist in the rehabilitation of existing schemes, -improving and modernizing cultivation techniques and making better use of factors of production (improved varieties and breeds, agricultural equipment, fertilizers, plant treatment preparations), -in the sphere of livestock farming, improving animal feed (more effective management of pasture, increased fodder production, more new water-points and repair of existing ones) and animal health, including the development of the infrastructure required for that purpose, -better integration of arable and livestock farming, -in the sphere of fisheries, modernizing fish-farming and developing aquaculture. 2. Other prerequisites for the development of production are: -the extension of secondary and tertiary back-up activities for agriculture, such as the manufacture, modernization and promotion of agricultural and rural equipment and other inputs and, where necessary, their importation, -the establishment or consolidation of agricultural savings and credit facilities adapted to local conditions in order to promote access to production factors for farmers, -the encouragement of all policies and incentives for producers which are appropriate to local conditions with a view to greater productivity and to improving farmers' incomes. Article 22 In order to ensure a return on output, agricultural cooperation shall contribute to: - adequate means of preservation and suitable storage facilities for producers, -effective control of disease, pests and other factors causing production losses, -basic marketing arrangements underpinned by suitable organization of producers, with the necessary material and financial resources, and by adequate means of communication, -flexible operation of marketing channels, taking account of every form of public or private initiative, to enable local markets, areas of the country with shortfalls and urban markets to be supplied, in order to cut down dependence on outside sources, -facilities to prevent breaks in supplies (security storage) and guard against erratic price fluctuations (intervention storage), -processing, packaging and marketing of products, particularly by developing artisanal and agro-industrial units, in order to adapt them to the trend of the market. Article 23 Rural promotion measures shall involve: -the organization of producers within associations or communities in order to enable them to derive more benefit from joint contracts and investment and jointly owned equipment, -encouragement for the participation of women and for recognition of the active role they play as full partners in the rural production and economic development processes, -the development of social and cultural activities (such as health, education and culture) essential for improving rural life styles, -suitable extension service to train all farmers, both men and women, -improvements in the training of instructors at all levels. Article 24 Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 21 
1. Development of production calls for a rational stepping-up of animal and crop production and involves: -improving farming methods for rain-fed crops while conserving soil fertility, -developing irrigated crops, inter alia, through different types of agricultural water schemes (village water engineering, regulation of watercourses and soil improvement) ensuring optimum use and thrifty management of water which can be mastered by farmers and by local communities; operations shall also consist in the rehabilitation of existing schemes, -improving and modernizing cultivation techniques and making better use of factors of production (improved varieties and breeds, agricultural equipment, fertilizers, plant treatment preparations), -in the sphere of livestock farming, improving animal feed (more effective management of pasture, increased fodder production, more new water-points and repair of existing ones) and animal health, including the development of the infrastructure required for that purpose, -better integration of arable and livestock farming, -in the sphere of fisheries, modernizing fish-farming and developing aquaculture. 2. Other prerequisites for the development of production are: -the extension of secondary and tertiary back-up activities for agriculture, such as the manufacture, modernization and promotion of agricultural and rural equipment and other inputs and, where necessary, their importation, -the establishment or consolidation of agricultural savings and credit facilities adapted to local conditions in order to promote access to production factors for farmers, -the encouragement of all policies and incentives for producers which are appropriate to local conditions with a view to greater productivity and to improving farmers' incomes. Article 22 In order to ensure a return on output, agricultural cooperation shall contribute to: - adequate means of preservation and suitable storage facilities for producers, -effective control of disease, pests and other factors causing production losses, -basic marketing arrangements underpinned by suitable organization of producers, with the necessary material and financial resources, and by adequate means of communication, -flexible operation of marketing channels, taking account of every form of public or private initiative, to enable local markets, areas of the country with shortfalls and urban markets to be supplied, in order to cut down dependence on outside sources, -facilities to prevent breaks in supplies (security storage) and guard against erratic price fluctuations (intervention storage), -processing, packaging and marketing of products, particularly by developing artisanal and agro-industrial units, in order to adapt them to the trend of the market. Article 23 Rural promotion measures shall involve: -the organization of producers within associations or communities in order to enable them to derive more benefit from joint contracts and investment and jointly owned equipment, -encouragement for the participation of women and for recognition of the active role they play as full partners in the rural production and economic development processes, -the development of social and cultural activities (such as health, education and culture) essential for improving rural life styles, -suitable extension service to train all farmers, both men and women, -improvements in the training of instructors at all levels. Article 24 Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 22 
In order to ensure a return on output, agricultural cooperation shall contribute to: - adequate means of preservation and suitable storage facilities for producers, -effective control of disease, pests and other factors causing production losses, -basic marketing arrangements underpinned by suitable organization of producers, with the necessary material and financial resources, and by adequate means of communication, -flexible operation of marketing channels, taking account of every form of public or private initiative, to enable local markets, areas of the country with shortfalls and urban markets to be supplied, in order to cut down dependence on outside sources, -facilities to prevent breaks in supplies (security storage) and guard against erratic price fluctuations (intervention storage), -processing, packaging and marketing of products, particularly by developing artisanal and agro-industrial units, in order to adapt them to the trend of the market. Article 23 Rural promotion measures shall involve: -the organization of producers within associations or communities in order to enable them to derive more benefit from joint contracts and investment and jointly owned equipment, -encouragement for the participation of women and for recognition of the active role they play as full partners in the rural production and economic development processes, -the development of social and cultural activities (such as health, education and culture) essential for improving rural life styles, -suitable extension service to train all farmers, both men and women, -improvements in the training of instructors at all levels. Article 24 Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 23 
Rural promotion measures shall involve: -the organization of producers within associations or communities in order to enable them to derive more benefit from joint contracts and investment and jointly owned equipment, -encouragement for the participation of women and for recognition of the active role they play as full partners in the rural production and economic development processes, -the development of social and cultural activities (such as health, education and culture) essential for improving rural life styles, -suitable extension service to train all farmers, both men and women, -improvements in the training of instructors at all levels. Article 24 Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 24 
Cooperation in agronomic and agrotechnical research shall contribute: -to the development, in the OCT, of local and regional research capacities suited to the local natural, social and economic conditions of crop and animal production, -in particular, to improving varieties and breeds, the nutritional quality of products and their packaging, and developing technology and processes accessible to the producers, -to better dissemination of the results of research undertaken in an overseas country or territory, an ACP or non-ACP State and applicable in other OCT or other ACP States, -to extension work in order to inform the greatest possible number of users of the results of such research, -to promoting increased coordination of research, particularly at regional and international levels and implementing appropriate operations to achieve these objectives. Article 25 Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 25 
Agricultural cooperation schemes shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed provisions and procedures laid down for development finance cooperation and in this context they may also cover the following: 1. under the heading of technical cooperation: - exchange of information between the Community, the OCT and the ACP States and between the OCT and the ACP States (on, for example, water use, intensive production techniques and the results of research), -exchange of experience between professionals working in such areas as credit and savings, cooperatives, mutual insurance, artisanal activities and small-scale industry in rural areas; 2.under the heading of financial cooperation: -supply of factors of production, -support for market regulation bodies, on the basis of a coordinated approach to production and marketing problems, -participation in the constitution of funds for agricultural credit facilities, -opening of credit lines for farmers, farmers' trade organizations, artisans, women's groupings and small-scale industrial operators in rural areas, geared to their activities (such as supplies, primary marketing and storage), and also for associations implementing campaigns on specific themes, -support for measures to combine industrial and trade skills in the OCT and the Community within artisanal or industrial units, for the manufacture of inputs and equipment and for such purposes as the maintenance, packaging, storage, transport and processing of products. Article 26 1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 26 
1. Community measures aimed at food security in the OCT shall be conducted in the context of the food strategies or policies of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned and of the development objectives which they lay down. They shall be implemented, in coordination with the instruments of this Decision, in the framework of Community policies and the measures resulting therefrom with due regard for the Community's international commitments. 2. In this context, multiannual indicative programming may be carried out with the relevant authorities of the OCT which so wish, so that their food supplies can be better predicted. Article 27 With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 27 
With regard to available agricultural products, the Community undertakes to ensure that export refunds can be fixed further in advance for all OCT in respect of a range of products drawn up in the light of their food requirements. Advance fixing may be for one year and shall be applied each year for the duration of this Decision, it being understood that the level of the refund will be determined in accordance with the methods normally followed by the Commission. Article 28 In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 28 
In implementing the provisions of this Title, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling the least-developed OCT to utilize them fully. At the request of the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned, particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties of these OCT in carrying out the policies or strategies established by the relevant authorities to strengthen their food self-sufficiency and food security. In this context, cooperation shall bear in particular on the productive sectors (including the supply of physical, technical and financial inputs), transport, marketing, packaging and the setting-up of storage infrastructure. Article 29 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 29 
At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the objectives and tasks of which are described in Article 53 of the Convention. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre for the benefit of the OCT which make use of them shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to.
Article 30 
To encourage the development of the exploitation of the fishery resources of the OCT, all the mechanisms for assistance and cooperation provided for in this Decision, notably financial and technical assistance in accordance with the terms set out in Title III of Part Three, shall be applied to fisheries. The priority objectives of such cooperation shall be to: - improve knowledge of the fisheries environment and its resources, -increase the means of protecting fishery resources and monitoring their rational exploitation, -encourage the rational exploitation of the fishery resources of the OCT and the resources of high seas in which the OCT and the Community share interests, -increase the contribution of fisheries including aquaculture and non-industrial fishing, to rural development, by giving importance to the role they play in strengthening food security, improving nutrition and the social and economic conditions of the communities concerned; this implies, inter alia, a recognition of and support for women's work at the post-harvest stage and in the marketing of fish, -increase the contribution of fisheries to industrial development by increasing catches, output, processing and exports. Article 31 Assistance from the Community for fisheries development shall include support in the following areas: (a) fisheries production, including the acquisition of boats, equipment and gear, the development of infrastructure for rural fishing communities and the fishing industry and support for aquaculture projects, notably by providing specific lines of credit to appropriate OCT institutions for onlending to the operators concerned; (b)fisheries management and protection, including the assessment of fish stocks and of aquacultural potential, the improvement of environmental monitoring and control and the development of the capacity of the relevant authorities of the OCT to manage rationally the fishery resources in the exclusive economic zones of the OCT; (c)processing and marketing of fishery products, including the development of processing, collection, distribution and marketing facilities and operations; the reduction of post-harvest losses and the promotion of programmes to improve fish utilization and nutrition from fishery products; (d)the training of OCT nationals in all areas of fisheries, the development and strengthening of OCT research capabilities and the promotion of regional cooperation in fisheries management and development. Article 32 In implementing Articles 30 and 31, special care should be taken to enable the least-developed OCT to maximize their capabilities to manage their fishery resources. Article 33 Conservation and the optimum use of the living resources of the sea shall be carried out through direct or regional cooperation or, where appropriate, through international organizations.
Article 31 
Assistance from the Community for fisheries development shall include support in the following areas: (a) fisheries production, including the acquisition of boats, equipment and gear, the development of infrastructure for rural fishing communities and the fishing industry and support for aquaculture projects, notably by providing specific lines of credit to appropriate OCT institutions for onlending to the operators concerned; (b)fisheries management and protection, including the assessment of fish stocks and of aquacultural potential, the improvement of environmental monitoring and control and the development of the capacity of the relevant authorities of the OCT to manage rationally the fishery resources in the exclusive economic zones of the OCT; (c)processing and marketing of fishery products, including the development of processing, collection, distribution and marketing facilities and operations; the reduction of post-harvest losses and the promotion of programmes to improve fish utilization and nutrition from fishery products; (d)the training of OCT nationals in all areas of fisheries, the development and strengthening of OCT research capabilities and the promotion of regional cooperation in fisheries management and development. Article 32 In implementing Articles 30 and 31, special care should be taken to enable the least-developed OCT to maximize their capabilities to manage their fishery resources. Article 33 Conservation and the optimum use of the living resources of the sea shall be carried out through direct or regional cooperation or, where appropriate, through international organizations.
Article 32 
In implementing Articles 30 and 31, special care should be taken to enable the least-developed OCT to maximize their capabilities to manage their fishery resources. Article 33 Conservation and the optimum use of the living resources of the sea shall be carried out through direct or regional cooperation or, where appropriate, through international organizations.
Article 33 
Conservation and the optimum use of the living resources of the sea shall be carried out through direct or regional cooperation or, where appropriate, through international organizations.
Article 34 
Cooperation with the OCT in the field of commodities shall take into account: - the fact that the economies of a large number of OCT are highly dependent on their exports of primary products, -the deteriorating situation of their exports in most cases, mainly as a result of the downward trend in world prices, -the structural nature of the difficulties in many commodity sectors both within the economies of the OCT and at international level. Article 35 The main objectives of cooperation in the field of commodities are: -diversification, both horizontal and vertical, of the OCT economies, in particular through the development of processing, marketing, distribution and transport (PMDT), and -improvement of the competitiveness of OCT commodities on world markets through the reorganization and rationalization of their production, marketing and distribution activities. All appropriate means should be deployed to enable them to go as far as possible in the attainment of these objectives; to that end coordinated use should be made of the range of instruments and resources of this Decision. Article 36 Cooperation operations in the field of commodities shall be directed towards developing international, regional and local markets; they shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed rules and procedures laid down in this Decision, notably those relating to development finance cooperation. In this context, they may also cover: 1. the enhancement of human resources, including in particular: - training programmes and courses for operators in the sectors concerned, -support for local or regional schools and training institutes specializing in the sector; 2.the fostering of investments by Community and OCT economic operators in the sector concerned, notably by means of: -information and awareness-raising campaigns directed at operators likely to invest in activities that diversify and add value to OCT commodities, -a more dynamic use of risk capital for firms wishing to invest in these PMDT activities, -utilization of the pertinent provisions on investment promotion, protection, financing and support; 3.the development and improvement of the infrastructure necessary for activities in the sector concerned, and notably transport and telecommunications networks. Article 37 In pursuit of the objectives set out in Article 35, particular importance shall be attached to: - ensuring that market signals, whether local, regional or international, are duly taken into account, -taking account of the economic and social impact of the operations carried out, -ensuring greater consistency at regional and international level between the strategies pursued by the various OCT concerned, -seeking an effective distribution of resources between the various activities and operators in the production sectors concerned.
Article 35 
The main objectives of cooperation in the field of commodities are: -diversification, both horizontal and vertical, of the OCT economies, in particular through the development of processing, marketing, distribution and transport (PMDT), and -improvement of the competitiveness of OCT commodities on world markets through the reorganization and rationalization of their production, marketing and distribution activities. All appropriate means should be deployed to enable them to go as far as possible in the attainment of these objectives; to that end coordinated use should be made of the range of instruments and resources of this Decision. Article 36 Cooperation operations in the field of commodities shall be directed towards developing international, regional and local markets; they shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed rules and procedures laid down in this Decision, notably those relating to development finance cooperation. In this context, they may also cover: 1. the enhancement of human resources, including in particular: - training programmes and courses for operators in the sectors concerned, -support for local or regional schools and training institutes specializing in the sector; 2.the fostering of investments by Community and OCT economic operators in the sector concerned, notably by means of: -information and awareness-raising campaigns directed at operators likely to invest in activities that diversify and add value to OCT commodities, -a more dynamic use of risk capital for firms wishing to invest in these PMDT activities, -utilization of the pertinent provisions on investment promotion, protection, financing and support; 3.the development and improvement of the infrastructure necessary for activities in the sector concerned, and notably transport and telecommunications networks. Article 37 In pursuit of the objectives set out in Article 35, particular importance shall be attached to: - ensuring that market signals, whether local, regional or international, are duly taken into account, -taking account of the economic and social impact of the operations carried out, -ensuring greater consistency at regional and international level between the strategies pursued by the various OCT concerned, -seeking an effective distribution of resources between the various activities and operators in the production sectors concerned.
Article 36 
Cooperation operations in the field of commodities shall be directed towards developing international, regional and local markets; they shall be carried out in accordance with the detailed rules and procedures laid down in this Decision, notably those relating to development finance cooperation. In this context, they may also cover: 1. the enhancement of human resources, including in particular: - training programmes and courses for operators in the sectors concerned, -support for local or regional schools and training institutes specializing in the sector; 2.the fostering of investments by Community and OCT economic operators in the sector concerned, notably by means of: -information and awareness-raising campaigns directed at operators likely to invest in activities that diversify and add value to OCT commodities, -a more dynamic use of risk capital for firms wishing to invest in these PMDT activities, -utilization of the pertinent provisions on investment promotion, protection, financing and support; 3.the development and improvement of the infrastructure necessary for activities in the sector concerned, and notably transport and telecommunications networks. Article 37 In pursuit of the objectives set out in Article 35, particular importance shall be attached to: - ensuring that market signals, whether local, regional or international, are duly taken into account, -taking account of the economic and social impact of the operations carried out, -ensuring greater consistency at regional and international level between the strategies pursued by the various OCT concerned, -seeking an effective distribution of resources between the various activities and operators in the production sectors concerned.
Article 37 
In pursuit of the objectives set out in Article 35, particular importance shall be attached to: - ensuring that market signals, whether local, regional or international, are duly taken into account, -taking account of the economic and social impact of the operations carried out, -ensuring greater consistency at regional and international level between the strategies pursued by the various OCT concerned, -seeking an effective distribution of resources between the various activities and operators in the production sectors concerned.
Article 38 
In order to facilitate the attainment of the industrial development objectives of the OCT, it is important to ensure that an integrated and sustainable development strategy, which links activities in different sectors to each other, is evolved. Thus sectoral strategies for agricultural and rural development, manufacturing, mining, energy, infrastructure and services should be designed in such a way as to foster interlinkages within and between economic sectors with a view to maximizing local value added and creating, where possible, an effective capacity to export manfactured products, while ensuring the protection of the environment and natural resources. These objectives shall be pursued by implementing, in addition to the specific provisions on industrial cooperation, the provisions on trade promotion for OCT products and private investments. Article 39 Industrial cooperation, as a key instrument for industrial development, shall have as its objectives: (a) the creation of the basis of and framework for effective cooperation between the Community and the OCT in the fields of manufacturing and processing, mineral resources development, energy resources development, transport and communications; (b)the promotion of conditions conducive to industrial enterprise development, and local and external investment; (c)improvement of capacity utilization and rehabilitation of existing industrial undertakings which are potentially viable, in order to restore the productive capacities of OCT economies; (d)fostering the creation of and participation in enterprises by OCT nationals, especially small and medium-sized enterprises that produce and/or use local inputs; promotion of new enterprises and strengthening of existing ones; (e)support for the establishment of new industries to supply the local market in a cost-effective manner and ensure the growth of the non-traditional export sector in order to increase earnings, provide employment opportunities and increase real incomes; (f)promoting increasingly close relations in the industrial field between the Community and the OCT, and in particular further encouraging the speedy establishment of EEC-OCT industrial joint ventures; (g)promoting business associations in the OCT as well as other institutions for industrial enterprise and business development. Article 40 The Community shall assist the OCT in the improvement of their institutional framework, reinforcement of their financing institutions and the estab lishment, rehabilitation and improvement of industry-related infrastructure. The Community shall equally assist the OCT in their efforts to integrate industrial structures at regional and inter-regional level. Article 41 On the basis of a request from the relevant authorities of a country or territory, the Community shall provide the assistance required in the field of industrial training at all levels, bearing notably on the evaluation of industrial training needs and the establishment of corresponding programmes, the setting-up and operation of local or regional OCT industrial training establishments, training for OCT nationals in appropriate establishments, on-the-job training both in the Community and in the OCT and also cooperation between industrial training establishments in the Community and their counterparts in the OCT, and between the latter and those of other developing countries. Article 42 In order to achieve the objectives of industrial development, the Community shall assist in the establishment and expansion of all types of viable industry which have been identified by the relevant authorities of the OCT as important in terms of their industrialization objectives and priorities. In this context the following areas merit particular attention: (i) manufacturing and processing of primary products: (a) industries processing, on a local or regional basis, raw materials for export; (b)industries based on local needs and resources, focused on local and regional markets and mainly small and medium-sized markets; industries geared to the modernization of agriculture, the efficient processing of agricultural products and the manufacture of agricultural inputs and tools; (ii)engineering, metallurgical and chemical industries: (a)engineering enterprises for the production of tools and equipment primarily tailored to maintaining existing plant and equipment in the OCT. These enterprises should, as a matter of priority, support the manufacturing and processing sector, the major export sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises directed at satisfying basic needs; (b)metallurgical industries based on the mining products of the OCT, aimed at the secondary processing of mining products to supply OCT engineering and chemical industries; (c)chemical industries, particularly on a small and medium scale, aimed at the secondary processing of mineral products to supply the other branches of industry, and also the agricultural and health sectors; (iii)industrial rehabilitation and capacity utilization: the restoration, upgrading, reorganization, restructuring and maintenance of existing potentially viable industrial capacities. Special emphasis should be put in this respect on industries with a low import content that provide up-stream and down-stream linkages and have a favourable effect on employment. Rehabilitation activities should be targeted at the creation of conditions necessary to make enterprises being rehabilitated self-sustaining. Article 43 The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 39 
Industrial cooperation, as a key instrument for industrial development, shall have as its objectives: (a) the creation of the basis of and framework for effective cooperation between the Community and the OCT in the fields of manufacturing and processing, mineral resources development, energy resources development, transport and communications; (b)the promotion of conditions conducive to industrial enterprise development, and local and external investment; (c)improvement of capacity utilization and rehabilitation of existing industrial undertakings which are potentially viable, in order to restore the productive capacities of OCT economies; (d)fostering the creation of and participation in enterprises by OCT nationals, especially small and medium-sized enterprises that produce and/or use local inputs; promotion of new enterprises and strengthening of existing ones; (e)support for the establishment of new industries to supply the local market in a cost-effective manner and ensure the growth of the non-traditional export sector in order to increase earnings, provide employment opportunities and increase real incomes; (f)promoting increasingly close relations in the industrial field between the Community and the OCT, and in particular further encouraging the speedy establishment of EEC-OCT industrial joint ventures; (g)promoting business associations in the OCT as well as other institutions for industrial enterprise and business development. Article 40 The Community shall assist the OCT in the improvement of their institutional framework, reinforcement of their financing institutions and the estab lishment, rehabilitation and improvement of industry-related infrastructure. The Community shall equally assist the OCT in their efforts to integrate industrial structures at regional and inter-regional level. Article 41 On the basis of a request from the relevant authorities of a country or territory, the Community shall provide the assistance required in the field of industrial training at all levels, bearing notably on the evaluation of industrial training needs and the establishment of corresponding programmes, the setting-up and operation of local or regional OCT industrial training establishments, training for OCT nationals in appropriate establishments, on-the-job training both in the Community and in the OCT and also cooperation between industrial training establishments in the Community and their counterparts in the OCT, and between the latter and those of other developing countries. Article 42 In order to achieve the objectives of industrial development, the Community shall assist in the establishment and expansion of all types of viable industry which have been identified by the relevant authorities of the OCT as important in terms of their industrialization objectives and priorities. In this context the following areas merit particular attention: (i) manufacturing and processing of primary products: (a) industries processing, on a local or regional basis, raw materials for export; (b)industries based on local needs and resources, focused on local and regional markets and mainly small and medium-sized markets; industries geared to the modernization of agriculture, the efficient processing of agricultural products and the manufacture of agricultural inputs and tools; (ii)engineering, metallurgical and chemical industries: (a)engineering enterprises for the production of tools and equipment primarily tailored to maintaining existing plant and equipment in the OCT. These enterprises should, as a matter of priority, support the manufacturing and processing sector, the major export sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises directed at satisfying basic needs; (b)metallurgical industries based on the mining products of the OCT, aimed at the secondary processing of mining products to supply OCT engineering and chemical industries; (c)chemical industries, particularly on a small and medium scale, aimed at the secondary processing of mineral products to supply the other branches of industry, and also the agricultural and health sectors; (iii)industrial rehabilitation and capacity utilization: the restoration, upgrading, reorganization, restructuring and maintenance of existing potentially viable industrial capacities. Special emphasis should be put in this respect on industries with a low import content that provide up-stream and down-stream linkages and have a favourable effect on employment. Rehabilitation activities should be targeted at the creation of conditions necessary to make enterprises being rehabilitated self-sustaining. Article 43 The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 40 
The Community shall assist the OCT in the improvement of their institutional framework, reinforcement of their financing institutions and the estab lishment, rehabilitation and improvement of industry-related infrastructure. The Community shall equally assist the OCT in their efforts to integrate industrial structures at regional and inter-regional level. Article 41 On the basis of a request from the relevant authorities of a country or territory, the Community shall provide the assistance required in the field of industrial training at all levels, bearing notably on the evaluation of industrial training needs and the establishment of corresponding programmes, the setting-up and operation of local or regional OCT industrial training establishments, training for OCT nationals in appropriate establishments, on-the-job training both in the Community and in the OCT and also cooperation between industrial training establishments in the Community and their counterparts in the OCT, and between the latter and those of other developing countries. Article 42 In order to achieve the objectives of industrial development, the Community shall assist in the establishment and expansion of all types of viable industry which have been identified by the relevant authorities of the OCT as important in terms of their industrialization objectives and priorities. In this context the following areas merit particular attention: (i) manufacturing and processing of primary products: (a) industries processing, on a local or regional basis, raw materials for export; (b)industries based on local needs and resources, focused on local and regional markets and mainly small and medium-sized markets; industries geared to the modernization of agriculture, the efficient processing of agricultural products and the manufacture of agricultural inputs and tools; (ii)engineering, metallurgical and chemical industries: (a)engineering enterprises for the production of tools and equipment primarily tailored to maintaining existing plant and equipment in the OCT. These enterprises should, as a matter of priority, support the manufacturing and processing sector, the major export sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises directed at satisfying basic needs; (b)metallurgical industries based on the mining products of the OCT, aimed at the secondary processing of mining products to supply OCT engineering and chemical industries; (c)chemical industries, particularly on a small and medium scale, aimed at the secondary processing of mineral products to supply the other branches of industry, and also the agricultural and health sectors; (iii)industrial rehabilitation and capacity utilization: the restoration, upgrading, reorganization, restructuring and maintenance of existing potentially viable industrial capacities. Special emphasis should be put in this respect on industries with a low import content that provide up-stream and down-stream linkages and have a favourable effect on employment. Rehabilitation activities should be targeted at the creation of conditions necessary to make enterprises being rehabilitated self-sustaining. Article 43 The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 41 
On the basis of a request from the relevant authorities of a country or territory, the Community shall provide the assistance required in the field of industrial training at all levels, bearing notably on the evaluation of industrial training needs and the establishment of corresponding programmes, the setting-up and operation of local or regional OCT industrial training establishments, training for OCT nationals in appropriate establishments, on-the-job training both in the Community and in the OCT and also cooperation between industrial training establishments in the Community and their counterparts in the OCT, and between the latter and those of other developing countries. Article 42 In order to achieve the objectives of industrial development, the Community shall assist in the establishment and expansion of all types of viable industry which have been identified by the relevant authorities of the OCT as important in terms of their industrialization objectives and priorities. In this context the following areas merit particular attention: (i) manufacturing and processing of primary products: (a) industries processing, on a local or regional basis, raw materials for export; (b)industries based on local needs and resources, focused on local and regional markets and mainly small and medium-sized markets; industries geared to the modernization of agriculture, the efficient processing of agricultural products and the manufacture of agricultural inputs and tools; (ii)engineering, metallurgical and chemical industries: (a)engineering enterprises for the production of tools and equipment primarily tailored to maintaining existing plant and equipment in the OCT. These enterprises should, as a matter of priority, support the manufacturing and processing sector, the major export sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises directed at satisfying basic needs; (b)metallurgical industries based on the mining products of the OCT, aimed at the secondary processing of mining products to supply OCT engineering and chemical industries; (c)chemical industries, particularly on a small and medium scale, aimed at the secondary processing of mineral products to supply the other branches of industry, and also the agricultural and health sectors; (iii)industrial rehabilitation and capacity utilization: the restoration, upgrading, reorganization, restructuring and maintenance of existing potentially viable industrial capacities. Special emphasis should be put in this respect on industries with a low import content that provide up-stream and down-stream linkages and have a favourable effect on employment. Rehabilitation activities should be targeted at the creation of conditions necessary to make enterprises being rehabilitated self-sustaining. Article 43 The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 42 
In order to achieve the objectives of industrial development, the Community shall assist in the establishment and expansion of all types of viable industry which have been identified by the relevant authorities of the OCT as important in terms of their industrialization objectives and priorities. In this context the following areas merit particular attention: (i) manufacturing and processing of primary products: (a) industries processing, on a local or regional basis, raw materials for export; (b)industries based on local needs and resources, focused on local and regional markets and mainly small and medium-sized markets; industries geared to the modernization of agriculture, the efficient processing of agricultural products and the manufacture of agricultural inputs and tools; (ii)engineering, metallurgical and chemical industries: (a)engineering enterprises for the production of tools and equipment primarily tailored to maintaining existing plant and equipment in the OCT. These enterprises should, as a matter of priority, support the manufacturing and processing sector, the major export sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises directed at satisfying basic needs; (b)metallurgical industries based on the mining products of the OCT, aimed at the secondary processing of mining products to supply OCT engineering and chemical industries; (c)chemical industries, particularly on a small and medium scale, aimed at the secondary processing of mineral products to supply the other branches of industry, and also the agricultural and health sectors; (iii)industrial rehabilitation and capacity utilization: the restoration, upgrading, reorganization, restructuring and maintenance of existing potentially viable industrial capacities. Special emphasis should be put in this respect on industries with a low import content that provide up-stream and down-stream linkages and have a favourable effect on employment. Rehabilitation activities should be targeted at the creation of conditions necessary to make enterprises being rehabilitated self-sustaining. Article 43 The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 43 
The Community shall assist the OCT to develop, during the period of application of this Decision, as a matter of priority, viable industries, as defined in Article 42, in accordance with the capacities and decisions of the relevant authorities of each country or territory and their respective endowments, taking into account the adjustment of industrial structures taking place in the OCT, the Community and throughout the world. Article 44 The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 44 
The Community shall contribute in a spirit of mutual interest to the development of EEC-OCT, intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation between enterprises by way of information and industrial promotion activities. The aim of such activities shall be to intensify the regular exchange of information, organize the contacts required in the industrial sphere between industrial policy-makers, promoters and economic operators from the Community, the OCT and the ACP States, carry out studies, notably feasibility studies, facilitate the establishment and operation of OCT industrial promotion bodies and foster joint investment, subcontracting arrangements and any other form of industrial cooperation between enterprises in the Member States of the Community, in the OCT and in the ACP States. Article 45 The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.
Article 45 
The Community shall contribute to the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the artisanal, commercial, service and industrial sectors in view of the essential role that these enterprises play in the modern and informal sectors in building up a diversified economic fabric and in the general development of the OCT, and in view of the advantages they offer as regards the acquisition of skills, the integrated transfer and adaptation of appropriate technology and opportunities for taking the best advantage of local manpower. The Community shall also help with sectoral evaluation and the establishment of action programmes, with the setting-up of appropriate infrastructure, the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions providing information, promotion, extension, training, credit or guarantee and transfer of technology facilities. The Community and the relevant authorities of the OCT shall encourage cooperation and contact between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Member States, the OCT and the ACP States. Article 46 With a view to assisting the OCT to develop their technological base and indigenous capacity for scientific and technological development and facilitating the acquisition, transfer and adaption of technology on terms that will bring about the greatest possible benefits and minimize costs, the instruments of development finance cooperation may be used to contribute to: (a) the establishment and strengthening of industry-related scientific and technical infrastructure in the OCT; (b)the drawing-up and implementation of research and development programmes; (c)the identification and creation of opportunities for collaboration among research institutes, institutions of higher learning and enterprises of the OCT, the ACP States, the Community, the Member States and other countries; (d)the establishment and promotion of activities aimed at the consolidation of appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition of relevant foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries; (e)the identification, evaluation and acquisition of industrial technology, including the negotiation on favourable terms and conditions of foreign technology, patents and other industrial property, in particular through financing or through other suitable arrangements with firms and institutions within the Community; (f)providing advisory services for the preparation of regulations governing the transfer of technology and for the supply of available information, in particular on the terms and conditions of technology contracts, the types and sources of technology, and the experience of the OCT and other countries with the use of certain types of technology; (g)the promotion of technology cooperation between OCT and between them and the ACP States or other developing countries, including support to research and development units, in particular at regional level, in order to make the best use of any particularly appropriate scientific and technical facilities they may possess; (h)facilitating, wherever possible, access to and use of documentary and other data sources available in the Community. Article 47 In order to enable the OCT to obtain full benefit from the trade arrangements and other provisions of this Decision, promotion schemes shall be undertaken for the marketing of OCT industrial products on both Community and other external markets, and also in order to stimulate and develop trade in industrial products among the OCT and between the OCT and ACP States. Such schemes shall cover market research, marketing and the quality and standardization of manufactured goods, in accordance with Articles 152 and 153 and taking into account Articles 84 and 85. Article 48 At the request of their relevant authorities, the OCT may be eligible for the services of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI), the objectives and activities of which are described in Articles 89 and 90 respectively of the Convention, or those of the Euro Business Information Centres set up under the Community's business promotion policy. Any costs resulting from services provided by the Centre or the Euro Business Information Centres for the benefit of the OCT shall be financed from the funds provided for in Article 154 for whichever of the three groups those OCT belong to. Article 49 1. In implementing this Title, the Community shall pay special attention to the specific needs and problems of the least-developed OCT in order to establish the basis for their industrialization (the formulation of industrial policies and strategies, economic infrastructure and industrial training), notably with a view to adding value to raw materials and other local resources in the following fields, in particular: - processing of raw materials, -development, transfer and adaptation of technologies, -development and financing of schemes in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises, -development of industrial infrastructure and energy and mining resources, -adequate training in the scientific and technical areas, -production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Such operations may be implemented with assistance from the CDI or the Euro Business Information Centres. 2. At the request of one or more of the least-developed countries or territories, the CDI shall grant special assistance for identification of on-the-spot industrial promotion and development possibilities, notably in raw materials processing and the production of equipment and inputs for the rural sector. Article 50 In order to implement industrial cooperation, the Community shall help carry out programmes, projects and operations submitted to it on the initiative or with the agreement of the relevant authorities of the OCT. To this end, it shall use all the means provided in this Decision, notably those at its disposal under development finance cooperation and, in particular, those which are the responsibility of the Bank, without prejudice to operations to assist OCT in mobilizing finance from other sources. Industrial cooperation programmes, projects and operations which involve Community financing shall be implemented in conformity with Title III of Part Three of this Decision, having regard to the particular characteristics of aid operations in the industrial sector.