RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/W/47
15 October 1998
(98-3974)
Committee on Trade and Development Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
The following communication has been received from the Permanent Mission of the Arab
Republic of Egypt.
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You may recall that during the High Level Meeting on the Integrated Initiatives for the
Development of Trade of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) held in Geneva on27-28 October 1997, Egypt has offered further market access and trade opportunities to the LDCs.
The offer includes:
1. Further tariff reductions from 10 to 20 per cent of the present duties for around 100 products
1
of export interest to LDCs, to be provided through GSTP.2. Certain raw materials - around 50 products
1 -  which are imported to Egypt from these
countries shall enjoy duty free access under the GSTP.
3. Egypt will bind its customs duties with a reduction of 10 per cent compared with current
market-access commitments in the Egyptian schedules presented during the Uruguay Round for
certain industrial goods originating from LDCs1.
4. Reduction by 50 per cent of the rent for LDCs that desire to participate in the international
trade fairs and exhibitions organized in Egypt.
5. Egypt will provide training for a number of specialists and officials in charge of trade issues
in the LDCs to be conducted in Egypt.
6. Egypt is prepared to send exports on trade issues to LDCs to assist in the implementation of
development projects particularly trade-related ones.
7. Hosting a seminar, in cooperation with WTO, UNCTAD, and ITC to study the various issues
related to the accession of developing countries, and in particular the LDCs, to the WTO.
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1The products mentioned will be circulated in an Addendum to this document later.