Malaysia

The European Commission’s palm oil conundrum

28-Feb-2020 East Asia Forum

With new regulatory changes now taking place on the basis of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II of 2018, Indonesia and Malaysia are trying to come to terms with the implications for their global palm oil market strategy and domestic production.

EU trade chief downbeat on China accord, other Asian deals

20-Feb-2020 Reuters

A planned EU-China investment agreement looks unlikely to be struck by September as planned because of the coronavirus outbreak, European Union trade chief Phil Hogan said.

Economic diplomacy: APEC’s future, digital trade deals, and green debt

30-Jan-2020 The Interpreter

Malaysian PM Mahathir controls the credibility of APEC, and China controls how emerging economies cut carbon emissions.

Without EU FTA, Malaysia to lose out — ambassador

7-Oct-2019 The Edge Markets

While the Malaysia-European Union (EU) trade and investment flows have been stable thus far, Malaysia’s trade advantages could decrease in the future, as negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the bloc remain suspended.

Why race against clock on trade pact ‘shrouded with secrecy’, asks NGO group

18-Sep-2019 Free Malaysia Today

A coalition of 61 NGOs has asked the government the reason for racing against the clock in concluding the world’s largest trade pact — the RCEP — with details “shrouded in secrecy”.

India’s review of its ASEAN FTA won’t affect RCEP talks - Darell

13-Sep-2019 Bernama

India’s decision to review its free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN is not seen as affecting the talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which are expected to be completed by year-end.

Minister hopeful RCEP talks can conclude by year-end

10-Sep-2019 Malaysia Kini

Malaysia sees positive progress towards concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade pact, by year-end.

S. Korea, Malaysia to hold 3rd round of FTA talks this week

3-Sep-2019 Korea Herald

South Korea will hold a third round of free trade talks with Malaysia this week with the aim of striking a trade deal before November, Seoul’s trade ministry said Tuesday.

Malaysia welcomes MAFTA review but priority given to RCEP conclusion

21-Aug-2019 Malay Mail

Malaysia welcomes the review of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) but any effort to do so will only be considered after the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have been concluded.

Britain should break with Europe on palm oil

19-Aug-2019 Bloomberg

Malaysia’s prime minister says the UK can expect better trade terms with Southeast Asia if it asserts its independence post-Brexit.

10th ISDS case against South Korea

1-Aug-2019 Occupy FTA

Reportedly, Berjaya, Malaysian investor initiated ISDS dispute against South Korea.

China pushes more bilateral investment with Malaysia

1-Aug-2019 The Malaysian Reserve

There will be more investments in the finance and high-value agriculture sectors to Malaysia from China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

No decision yet on CPTPP ratification – Deputy MITI Minister

24-Jul-2019 The Borneo Post

The government has yet to decide on whether Malaysia will ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership or not.

Dhaka to form body to negotiate signing FTA with Malaysia

14-Jul-2019 The Independent

Bangladesh will form a committee to negotiate signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia.

A free trade agreement for the worse

2-Jul-2019 The Edge Markets

It claim that the CPTPP would boost Malaysia’s economic growth by greatly increasing export, but potentially would increase more in imports.

South Korea and Malaysia to conclude FTA this year

1-Jul-2019 Business Korea

The South Korean and Malaysian governments declared the initiation of bilateral FTA negotiations on June 27 and will be going to complete the negotiations by November this year.

No respite in sight for edible oil processors from cheap imports

1-Jul-2019 The Hindu Business Line

Malaysia bets big on RCEP with India as RCEP is set to pose a major challenge of cheaper imports of refined products.

A Bad Free Trade Agreement Is Worse than Nothing

25-Jun-2019 IPS

With growing economic conflicts triggered by US President Donald Trump’s novel neo-mercantilist approach to overcoming his nation’s economic malaises, many voices now argue that bad free trade agreements are better than nothing.