Thailand submitted the proposal to the WTO last month due to worried developed nations will put agricultural goods on lists of SPs, said Apiradi Tantraporn, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department.

SPs can be protected with tariffs and as a result, Thai rice, sugar and poultry could lose competitiveness if major importing countries designated these products SPs.

Apiradi said Thailand has proposed that the WTO limit the number of SPs and clearly define guidelines for select products eligible for the list. In addition, WTO members should focus on tariff reduction and extend quotas and tariff caps on all products, she said. This proposal aims to solve the problem of significantly high import tariffs and ensure that members achieve market access.

"SPs should be only a temporary measure to alleviate the problems of importing countries and allow them time for adjustment," she said.

Thailand's proposal has received support from major farm-goods exporters such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Chile, and South Africa. - The Nation.

Exports climb on FTA with China

The Office of Agricultural Economics said yesterday that the trade surplus with China surged after the bilateral free trade agreement was implemented in late 2003, with Thai exports rising an average of 41 per cent a year.

Pinit Korsriporn, the office's deputy secretary-general, said Thailand's trade surplus with China had risen from Bt1.88 billion in 2003 to Bt3.05 billion in 2004 and Bt5.49 billion last year. - The Nation.

E-Port system will cost Bt280m

The Port Authority of Thailand will invest Bt280 million to set up an e-Port system to strengthen its services and competitiveness.

 Deputy director-general for financial, accounting and information technology Surapong Rongsirikul said the e-Port system was part of the agency's plan to develop into an electronic port, particularly at border ports in the North and South. The system will be completed within two years. - The Nation.