This meeting is complementary for the previous meetings of the negotiating group, which held from 13 to 17 October 2008. The meeting focused on discussing the articles of the proposed agreement on Trade Facilitation relating to Article VIII (Fees and Formalities relating to export and import) and Article V (freedom of transit) of GATT 1994. As well as, discussing essential issues including cooperation and coordination among customs borders of the Member States and promoting the bilateral agreements already concluded now.

Discussions extended to include issues related to Special and Differential Treatment that will be granted to the developing countries including Egypt. The meetings also discuss issues related to; pre- arrival procedures, objective criteria for tariff classification, the mechanism of borders coordination and cooperation, the separation between clearance and release, risk management and how to deal with expedite shipments.

The Chairman of TF negotiating group appreciated the progress made by the negotiating group to push the negotiations forward, regardless of what happens in negotiations in agriculture and market access files. As well as, emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard in achieving greater progress in narrowing the gap in the views and reaching agreement on the controversial topics.