She said Thailand had collected anti-dumping duties from steel imports from 25 EU countries since March 2003, effective for five years. The duty is 10.02-25.57 per cent of cost, insurance and freight.

Thailand will collect anti-dumping duties on stainless-steel products and rolled steel from the EU, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea until March 12, 2008.

Bulgaria and Romania are set to become EU members next year, taking the number of countries to 27. Countries have applied a uniform tariff on EU members. Bulgaria and Romania will have to adjust their tariffs to comply with those of the EU.

Regarding reports that the Australian government plans to impose strict measures to block shrimp imports, Apiradi said Thailand could prove it has high technology in shrimp farming, and thus its shrimp exports should be able to avoid any restrictions.

The Thai Commercial Office in Sydney believes shrimp exporters have a good chance of meeting the requirements, because Thai shrimp would come with a health certificate ensuring the products were free from marine-animal diseases.

Australia is the sixth-largest market for Thai exports. Its export value is US$59.6 million (Bt2.15 billion), with fresh shrimp accounting for $31 million. In the first 10 months of the year, shrimp exports to Australia totalled $40.6 million.

The US, meanwhile, is the biggest market for Thai shrimp exports, with a total export value of $479.3 million, or 56.45 per cent of total shrimp exports.