These support groups were created following the launch in July 2004 of the negotiations for a WTO Trade
Facilitation Agreement as part of the Doha Development Agenda. Supported in many cases by the WTO tradefacilitation
needs-assessment process, “many countries have set up these bodies to provide support to the
negotiating teams through the provision of technical expertise and feedback on the tabled proposals. These
working groups are organized as a cooperative network, comprising interested parties from the public and private
sectors” (Economic Commission for Europe, 2013).