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Malaysia

US FTA a different ball game altogether
13-Jun-2006
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Malaysia and the United States, which kicked off yesterday (12 June 2006) on the island of Penang, were wrapped in secrecy even though the issues to be discussed have far-reaching implications for Malaysian citizens and Malaysia as a sovereign nation. Mind you, all this is unfolding within the larger context of the din, frenzy and exhilaration of the World Cup.
Malaysia says cautious on US trade deal
13-Jun-2006 AFP
Malaysia said it was proceeding cautiously with negotiations for a free-trade deal with the United States which began this week, and would not act against the national interest.
Japan-Malaysia FTA to take effect on July 13
13-Jun-2006 Kyodo
A free trade agreement between Japan and Malaysia will take effect on July 13 to scrap tariffs on essentially all industrial goods and most agricultural, forestry and fishery products within 10 years, the Japanese government said Tuesday.
Malaysians protest against free trade talks with US
13-Jun-2006 TWN
As Malaysia and the United States began their first round of talks on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), they were confronted by a group of Malaysian protesters concerned that the agreement will cause the country more harm than good.
Malaysia, US face big task as free-trade talks kick off
12-Jun-2006 AFP
The United States and Malaysia are to embark on free-trade talks in the resort island of Penang, which are being fast-tracked with the goal of striking a deal by the end of the year.
India-Malaysia signs liberal economic cooperation contract
11-Jun-2006 MITI
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement will enable Malaysia to expand and strengthen cooperation and collaboration activities in areas where India is advanced such as biotechnology, software development, science and education.
Explain benefits of FTA first, govt urged
30-May-2006 The Star
Kedah farmers have asked the government to explain the benefits that they could gain from the USA-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before it proceeds with discussions scheduled to be held on June 12 in Penang.
Fiji seeks bilateral deals with Asian countries
29-May-2006 Radio New Zealand
Fiji is set to negotiate new bilateral economic partnership agreements with India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Pakistan begins talks with China for free trade accord
24-May-2006 Financial Express
Pakistan is in separate bilateral talks with China and Malaysia to ease trade restrictions between the nations and is close to signing an accord with Singapore, commerce minister Humayun Akhtar said.
US upbeat about trade talks with South Korea, Malaysia
22-May-2006 Channel News Asia
The United States is "very optimistic" about clinching free trade agreements (FTAs) with major trading partners South Korea and Malaysia, a senior US official said.
MTMA optimistic on govt’s free trade agreement with US
15-May-2006
The Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA) is optimistic on the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s effort to launch a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States (US).
US food based firms to use M’sia as Asian hub
12-May-2006 Bernama
Several US-based food producing/processing companies have identified Malaysia a key market in Asia and are considering setting up a physical presence here, said agriculture counsellor of the United States Embassy, Malaysia and Singapore, Jonathan Gressel.
RI envisions free trade among D-8 member countries
12-May-2006 Jakarta Post
After breaking the ice by launching the preferential trade agreement among Developing Eight (D-8) countries, Indonesian Trade Minister Mari E. Pangestu envisions that the agreement would lead to a free trade arrangement for member countries in less than 15 years.
Imports of rice at issue in US trade negotiations with Korea
12-May-2006 Washington File
Rice, the staple food for much of Asia, will doubtless be a tough issue in negotiations on a US-South Korea free-trade agreement (FTA) and could be an issue in US-Malaysia FTA talks, US experts say.
Malaysia not bound to finalise FTA with US by 2007
11-May-2006 Bernama
Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz cited the financial sector as one area that Malaysia cannot open up at a faster pace. She noted that it was the US — not Malaysia — which made the approach on the FTA.
M’sian govt taking strong stand on IPR protection
9-May-2006
The Malaysian Government is taking a strong stand on the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.
M’sia provides ideal base to penetrate Asean market
5-May-2006 Bernama
Bilateral and regional trade and investment liberalisation measures undertaken in the context of Asean complement the opportunities offered by Malaysia’s growing economy, thus providing an ideal base for companies to penetrate the Asean market, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said Thursday.
Korean, Malaysian auto barriers pose trade negotiation challenge
3-May-2006
Opening up trade in autos poses a major challenge in free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with South Korea and Malaysia, experts in the United States say.
Diet steps closer to ratifying free-trade pact with Malaysia
27-Apr-2006 Japan Times
The Diet cleared a free-trade agreement with Malaysia on Wednesday, bringing the pact one step closer to coming into force. To complete the ratification process, the Diet still needs to pass related bills concerning rules on product origin and tariff rates. In Malaysia, ratification does not require legislative measures, only administrative procedures.
Malaysia, US making progress on proposed FTA
25-Apr-2006
Malaysia and the US are making progress on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), US Commerce Department Deputy Secretary David A Sampson said yesterday.