Strategic Cooperation Agreement
Exhibit
10.7
Strategic
Cooperation Agreement
|
New
Zealand Agritech Inc
Cullen
Agricultural Technologies Inc
STRATEGIC
COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Date: 11
August 2009
PARTIES
New Zealand Agritech Inc
(Agritech)
Cullen Agricultural Technologies
Inc (Cullen)
BACKGROUND
A
|
Agritech
is the representative body of New Zealand’s agricultural technology
sector, and represents a membership of suppliers across a diverse range of
industry categories. Agritech strongly advocates New Zealand’s
pasture-based farming system.
|
B
|
Cullen
is a USA-incorporated research and development company committed to the
development and commercialisation of advanced agricultural technologies,
primarily focused on the animal food sector. Cullen provides
advisory services associated with the implementation of more efficient
farming techniques, and promotes a methodology that incorporates
components of New Zealand’s pasture-based farming
system.
|
C
|
Although
wishing to maintain their independence, the parties agree that their
respective activities are complementary and that their participation in a
strategic alliance will be mutually beneficial, and also of benefit to
members of Agritech.
|
THE
PARTIES AGREE
1
|
INTERPRETATION
|
1.1
|
In
the interpretation of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires:
|
(a)
|
references
to the parties include their respective executors, administrators,
successors and permitted
assigns;
|
(b)
|
references
to persons include a reference to a body corporate and to an
unincorporated body of
persons;
|
(c)
|
words
in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;
and
|
(d)
|
headings
have been inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction of this
Agreement.
|
2
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
2
|
PARTICIPANTS
AND TERRITORY
|
2.1
|
This
Agreement is between:
|
(a)
|
New
Zealand Agritech Inc operating from XX Xxx 000 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxx 0000, Xxx Xxxxxxx (as that address may be amended from time to
time); and
|
(b)
|
Cullen
Agricultural Technologies Inc operating from 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America (as that address may be
amended from time to time).
|
2.2
|
The
alliance between the parties being the subject matter of this Agreement
applies specifically to the USA’s South Eastern States including Alabama,
Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and
neighbouring States including Arkansas and Louisiana. The
parties agree that this Agreement shall extend to other areas in the USA
and elsewhere as and when Cullen commences activities in those
areas.
|
3
|
BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
|
3.1
|
Agritech
seeks to assist New Zealand agricultural technology industry participants
succeed domestically and internationally in the commercial development of
existing and emerging products and technologies. The provision
of such assistance invariably involves advocating New Zealand’s
pasture-based farming system (in whole or part) and associated products
and technologies.
|
3.2
|
Members
of Agritech pay a fee for the benefits of
representation. Agritech endeavours to deliver value to its
members including by way of developing opportunities for members to
penetrate and establish marketing presence and success in new
markets. In doing so, Agritech enhances its ability to retain
existing members and attract new
members.
|
3.3
|
Cullen
advises on the implementation of industry-changing technologies and
strongly promotes components of New Zealand’s pasture-based farming system
following adaptation to local conditions. Current operations
involve the USA and international expansion is likely in
time.
|
3.4
|
In
the performance of its activities, Cullen has opportunity to promote the
interests of Agritech (pursuant to clause 3.2) and its
members. Further information is contained at clause
4.
|
3
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
3.5
|
The
parties agree that the existence of this Agreement does not prevent or
prohibit either of them maintaining or forming business relationships or
alliances with any other person or provider of services whether or not
similar to or the equivalent of the services provided by a party under
this Agreement, provided that although exclusivity is not an agreed term
of this Agreement, Cullen shall be Agritech’s “preferred partner” in the
jurisdictions in which Cullen operates and Agritech shall be Cullen’s
“preferred partner” in the context of its standing as a representative
body of New Zealand’s agricultural technology sector within New
Zealand. Accordingly, where the circumstances permit (having
regard to any relevant commercial factors), each party will when
conducting its operations seek to promote to the other the opportunity to
realise the benefit of the operation of this Agreement in accordance with
its terms.
|
4
|
CONTRIBUTION
|
4.1
|
In
the performance of its activities, Cullen has opportunity to assist
members of Agritech mitigate barriers to market entry and to provide
opportunity to realise the potential of growth available in various
markets. These opportunities will arise by way of Cullen
(without limitation):
|
(a)
|
providing
information and expertise on local market conditions (including indication
of likely volume of demand, assistance with sales and marketing strategy,
and details of alternative products, technologies and
competitors);
|
(b)
|
identifying
new products and technologies for development (including sufficient
variations of existing products and
technologies);
|
(c)
|
testing
emerging and existing products and technologies in local, commercial
conditions and providing feedback, thereby assisting with refinement and
development;
|
(d)
|
providing
local history of use and credibility by association with
Cullen;
|
(e)
|
securing
local implementation of products and technologies, thereby giving access
to market, penetration and brand
promotion;
|
(f)
|
stimulating
demand and delivering distribution opportunities of substantial size,
thereby offering significant financial benefit;
and
|
(g)
|
identifying
and accessing suitable distribution partners and networks, thereby
mitigating risks of direct
exporting.
|
4
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
4.2
|
The
matters set out in clause 4.1 are of significant commercial value to
Agritech’s members, and will promote the benefits and value of
membership. Accordingly, the potential of these matters
constitute sufficient consideration for Agritech’s entry into this
Agreement.
|
4.3
|
In
accordance with clause 4.2, Agritech will actively promote its alliance
with Cullen as per this Agreement and will facilitate and support business
relationships between Cullen and its members having regard to Cullen as a
“preferred partner”. Such relationships could take the form of
a joint venture, strategic alliance or preferred supplier arrangement, in
addition to other forms that may be
available.
|
5
|
COMMERCIAL
TERMS
|
5.1
|
Agritech
shall not pay any fee, commission or any other form of remuneration
whatsoever to Cullen in consideration for the existence or performance of
this Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Cullen
shall be entitled to negotiate preferred terms of supply with members of
Agritech in consideration of the services offered in accordance with
clause 4.1. Any such terms will be negotiated between Cullen
and the member of Agritech on a case by case
basis.
|
5.3
|
Cullen
shall be entitled to negotiate the payment of fees by a member of Agritech
in consideration of the services offered in accordance with clause
4.1. The fees may be in the nature of a facilitation fee,
management fee or fees otherwise agreed between Cullen and the
member. Any such fee will be negotiated between Cullen and the
member of Agritech on a case by case basis, and will reflect the value of
the services to be performed by Cullen in the
circumstances.
|
5.4
|
During
the term of this Agreement, Cullen shall make payment to Agritech
(annually in arrears, and pro rata upon its termination) after having
regard to its dealings with members of Agritech and the alliance it shares
with Agritech. Any such payment will be agreed between Cullen
and Agritech on a case by case basis, with the parties acting in good
faith and having regard also to the following
principles:
|
(a)
|
Agritech
is a not-for-profit organisation seeking to recover its reasonably and
properly incurred operating costs
only;
|
(b)
|
Cullen
will benefit from only some of Agritech’s activities and its interests are
not necessarily aligned with all Agritech
members;
|
5
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
(c)
|
Agritech
is able to and will endeavour to obtain receipts from a variety of revenue
streams without reliance on Cullen, including contributions made by
corporate sponsors and the Government, in addition to membership fees and
other forms of commercial revenue;
and
|
(d)
|
a
payment by Cullen to Agritech may not apply on a commission basis to every
fee received by Cullen pursuant to clause
5.3.
|
5.5
|
For
the avoidance of doubt and subject to clause 5.4, no fee, commission or
any other form of payment whatsoever will be payable by Cullen to Agritech
in respect of any relationship formed pursuant to clause 4.3, and Agritech
unconditionally and irrevocably acknowledges that it shall have no right,
claim or interest in any such relationship or its resulting financial
performance.
|
6
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
|
6.1
|
The
parties each represent and warrant
that:
|
(a)
|
all
corporate resolutions and approvals required by law and pursuant to
constitutions to which it is party necessary to approve the entry into the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement have been passed or given, and
remain in force; and
|
(b)
|
this
Agreement has been validly entered into by them and is binding on
them.
|
7
|
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
|
7.1
|
In
the event of any dispute under this Agreement, the parties will make a
good faith effort to resolve the dispute at the senior executive level for
a period of 45 days following notice thereof before pursuing any
alternative process or action of resolution or enforcement. At
the expiration of that period, any unresolved dispute shall be determined
in accordance with the Arbitration Xxx
0000.
|
8
|
TERMINATION
|
8.1
|
This
Agreement may be terminated upon three (3) months’ notice in writing by
either party.
|
6
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
9
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
9.1
|
The
parties will jointly agree the form and content of any public announcement
made referencing or concerning the existence or subject matter or
termination of this Agreement.
|
10
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
10.1
|
Further
Assurances
|
The
parties shall promptly do all acts and things necessary (or, as the case may be,
procure that all acts and things necessary are done) as may be required to give
effect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
10.2
|
Entire
Agreement
|
The
provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties
and supersede all previous agreements and communications, whether verbal or
written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement.
10.3
|
Amendments
|
No
amendments to this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and
signed by all parties to this Agreement.
10.4
|
Counterparts
|
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. Once a party
has executed a counterpart, and the other party has received a copy of the
signed counterpart, that counterpart shall be deemed to be as valid and binding
on the party executing it as if it had been executed by both the
parties.
7
STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
10.5
|
Governing
law
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by New Zealand law. The parties submit to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.
IN WITNESS of which this
Agreement has been executed:
New Zealand Agritech Inc
by:
|
Cullen Agricultural
Technologies Inc by:
|
|
/s/ | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |
Director/Authorised
signatory
|
Director/Authorised
signatory
|
|
/s/ Loendelyn Xxxx | /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx | |
Witness
signature
|
Witness
signature
|
|
Witness
name
|
Witness
name
|
|
Witness
Occupation
|
Witness
Occupation
|
|
Witness
address
|
Witness
address
|
8