The 11th meeting of SAARC Committee of Experts (CoE) ended in the capital inconclusively, as the participants failed to make consensus on the three outstanding issues of SAFTA accord, rules of origin, sensitive list and revenue compensation mechanism.

Of the four outstanding issues, SAARC members have already finalized the issue of technical assistance to the LDCs. Issuing a press statement, the SAARC Secretariat informed that the meeting decided to resolve all outstanding issues at the CoE’s next meeting.

“The sensitive lists and rules of origin were substantially finalized, while alternative formulas and other details regarding the revenue compensation mechanism too was comprehensively discussed during the 11th CoE,” the release stated.

The officials were hopeful of making significant breakthrough given the situation, especially as the CoE has already reached broader understanding on almost all of the issues.

The LDC members have urged that the revenue compensation should be made effective from the third year of SAFTA enforcement till the final year of tariff liberalization program.

Among others, the CoE had observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the earthquake during the meeting, said the press release.