Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) is a preferential regional trade agreement formerly known as the Bangkok Agreement. APTA aims to promote economic development of its members through the adoption of mutually beneficial trade liberalization measures that contribute to regional trade expansion and economic cooperation. Over time it refocused from the initial negotiation of tariff concessions on merchandise trade to at present negotiating liberalization in investment, services trade and trade facilitation. It is also continuously working on improving and modernizing its Rules of origin for trade in goods.