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  1. Negotiations

Malaysia

Compared to its neighbours in Southeast Asia, Malaysia was late to get on the FTA train. But now it does not want to be left out of the major deals, it seems.

Malaysia signed its first FTAs with Japan in 2005. In 2007, it signed with Pakistan. It also has FTAs with Chile (2010) , India (2011) and New Zealand (2009), It has been in FTA talks with the US, but these have effectively been shelves since 2009. It is in negotiations with Australia, and may commence negotiations with the GCC and EFTA.

As member of ASEAN, it is also party to the agreements with China, India, Korea and Japan, and the negotiations with Australia/New Zealand and the EU.

last update: May 2012
Photo: MTUC

Trade deals a major boost for the country, says Mustapa
8-Feb-2018 The Malay Mail Online
Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said, "Malaysia has been an open economy dependent on trade and we have been one of the biggest supporters of free trade."
Towards a peoples charter on international trade agreements
30-Jan-2018 Parti Sosialis Malaysia
It is now time we open up the dialogue on the kind of trade agreements that we want to see in place.
Don’t sign revised trade pact, consumers group urges government
25-Jan-2018 Free Malaysia Today News
Consumers Association of Penang says the new agreement will be even worse than the original as there will not even be the benefit of selling more exports to the US.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM): Reject all unfair trade deals, including TPPA’s replacement
17-Jan-2018 FMT News
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said it would fight all trade agreements that it considered unfair and only favoured big corporations, including a new regional economic partnership that is set to replace the US-sponsored Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Malaysian Chinese feel impact of China’s "Belt and Road" initiative
15-Jan-2018 NHK World
In Malaysia, people of Chinese descent account for about a quarter of the population. With China seeking a stronger economic foothold overseas through its "Belt and Road" initiative, this community is looking to benefit.
An upgraded TIFA paves the way for higher economic engagement between the US and Malaysia
17-Nov-2017 New Straits Times
An upgraded Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) version, to the level of a bilateral free trade agreement, will pave the way for higher economic engagement between the US and Malaysia, said official
FTAs with Iran, HK, by yearend: MITI
31-Jul-2017 Bernama
Malaysia expects to conclude free trade agreements with Hong Kong and Iran by year-end and affirms that the FTA between Malaysia and EU is also advancing
US, Malaysia set to pursue bilateral trade talks
18-Jul-2017 Free Malaysia Today
Both nations will establish working groups to address trade matters that include labour, intellectual property and the environment.
Malaysia in bilateral consultations with US, says US ambassador
7-Jul-2017 The Sun Daily
Bilateral consultations are underway between Malaysia and the US to enhance the economic and trade relationship between the two countries in a bilateral channel.
Malaysia-GCC trade deal on hold for now
1-Mar-2017 New Strait Times
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Malaysia is keen to revive the framework agreement but there have been challenges.