There is already an early-harvest agreement between the countries, covering 82 items.

Montol Jeamcharoen, deputy secretary-general of the Agricultural Economics Office, said yesterday that the office was ready to negotiate with New Delhi over a reduction in India's tariffs on farm goods. Some of India's import duties on agricultural goods are as high as 100 per cent.

Thai exports with high potential include canned foods, processed foods, ingredients and fresh fruits.

"If negotiations to bring the high import tariffs down are successful, Thai exporters of farm goods will have a great opportunity to increase their access to India," he said.

The bilateral free-trade pact is expected to be concluded by July, Montol added.

High-end homes

Four Pattana, a major local home-builder, plans this year to penetrate the high-end market with houses priced above Bt10 million.

Managing director Pramote Threerakul said yesterday that it would focus on executives and business owners who want exclusivity in the design of their homes. A company survey found that about 25 per cent of respondents in the upper market - those with more than Bt10 million to spend on a house - wanted a special home design.

The firm's main customers are those in the middle-to-upper market, with house prices of between Bt3 million and Bt10 million.

This year, it expects sales revenue of Bt80 million, more than double last year's Bt38 million.