Thailand will sign a second additional protocol to speed up liberalising trade with Peru, said Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, director-general of the Trade Negotiation Department.

The protocol is needed to complete the free trade agreement between Thailand and Peru, signed in 2005. The protocol will be signed at the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) Ministerial Meeting, to be held from today in Singapore.

The protocol will adjust rules of origin and update tariff codes to the 2007 harmonised system from the 2002 system. Thailand and Peru can thereby reduce or remove tariffs on about 70% of products traded between the two countries.

Thailand will also hold a meeting with the United States to propose that the US stop collecting anti-dumping duty on Thai steel tubes and joints. This duty has been collected for more than 17 years - which, in Thailand's view, is long enough to cover actual damages.

In discussions with South Korea, Thailand will seek a relaxation of examination of residue in its exports of white shrimp. Thailand will request that if no residue is detected in several consecutive shipments, the shrimp should be released quickly into the market.

At the Apec forum, ministers will express their support for the multilateral trade system under the World Trade Organisation, and for accelerated trade liberalisation in the group by focusing on rules of origin and trade.

The ministers will also discuss measures to support global recovery and to achieve sustainable growth through developing small and medium-sized enterprises and building the capacity of human resources.