ESCWA has been actively involved in supporting Arab countries in trade negotiations and impact assessments. The objective of this workshop is to discuss issues involved in negotiating specific Rules of Origin in Regional Trade Agreements, particularly in the context of PAFTA, the Arab Custom Union and revised Pan-Mediterranean Rules of Origin, with a view to improving the capabilities of member country government officials, and ultimately removing unduly restrictive Rules of Origin that are already in place or designing Rules of Origins that would support international trade and investment, as well as the emergence of regional value chains, to the greatest extent possible.