Officials from seven South Asian countries failed to arrive at a consensus on major issues pertaining to moving towards the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) during a meeting of the SAARC Committee of Experts (CoE). The meeting agreed to provide preferences and concessions to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the regional body while dealing with issues like rules of origin and trade liberalization measures. The next CoE meeting, to be held in Kathmandu between 27-29 December, will work on schemes and program in SAFTA primarily related with tariff and non-tariff barriers. The SAARC Summit held earlier this year asked for the finalisation of the proposed SAFTA treaty within year end.