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
Articles
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7-Jun-2019 The Interpreter Mahathir’s tilt to China smooths the way for Beijing in Southeast Asia
Always known as a fiercely non-aligned leader, Malaysia’s Prime Minister has changed his tune on the Belt and Road. -
12-May-2019 Euractiv Malaysian minister: ‘Palm oil is a deal-braker for EU-ASEAN trade relations’
Malaysian minister warned that Malaysia would adopt retaliatory measures to penalise European products if the ban goes ahead as planned. Furthermore, the ASEAN will not sign a partnership agreement with the EU unless palm oil is allowed again. -
24-Apr-2019 Malay Mail Malaysia signs Asean trade in services agreement
Malaysia has signed the Asean Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA) and the Fourth Protocol to Amend the Asean Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA). -
24-Apr-2019 Daily Express Ongoing review of FTA to increase trade volume
Bilateral trade between Turkey and Malaysia can be increased through expanding the scope of the FTA which is currently under the review of the two governments. -
18-Apr-2019 New Straits Times Malaysia might continue suspending FTA talks with EU and EFTA
Malaysia may continue to suspend FTA talks with the EU and EFTA until the issue of unfair and discriminatory practices against palm oil is resolved. -
14-Mar-2019 Yonhap Sommet Corée-Malaisie pour un ALE bilatéral et le renforcement de la coopération
Le président Moon Jae-in et le Premier ministre malaisien Mahathir Mohamad sont convenus d’accroître leurs efforts pour renforcer la coopération et les échanges entre les deux pays, y compris à travers un nouvel accord de libre-échange -
14-Mar-2019 KBS World Radio S. Korea, Malaysia to negotiate bilateral FTA
South Korea and Malaysia leaders agreed to get started on negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement, aiming to strike the deal within this year. -
8-Mar-2019 New Straits Times Govt should stop free trade talks with the EU
Malaysian palm oil producers urge the government to reject the revival talks of free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) in view of its move to boycott palm biodiesel. -
29-Jan-2019 Nikkei Asian Review Malaysia threatens to freeze out EU over palm oil ban
The Malaysian government required the deferment of upgrade relations with the EU due to ongoing trade dispute over palm oil, where the EU has been moving to ban the use of palm oil in biofuels. -
25-Oct-2018 Free Malaysia Today We don’t need trade pact to draw investors, says Santiago
An MP has dismissed a trade advocacy group’s claim that Malaysia will lose out to Vietnam if it does not ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). -
28-Aug-2018 Vietnam+ Australia to make FTA with Indonesia imminent
New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit Indonesia with the goal of concluding the free trade deal between the two countries -
28-Aug-2018 Malaysian Reserve Govt will look at revisiting FTA with GCC countries
The FTA was placed on hold since the region was impacted by various unfortunate circumstances such as the Arab Spring, followed by the global financial crisis, as well as the plunge in crude oil prices. -
28-Aug-2018 The Straits Times Malaysia to go ahead with Asia-Pacific trade pact CPTPP, says PM Mahathir
Malaysia will go ahead with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to the wide-ranging trade pact involving 11 nations. -
29-Jun-2018 The Edge Markets Malaysia should review bilateral investment treaties for unfair bias towards investors
Malaysia should review bilateral investment treaties to see if it is fair to remain in these trade agreements as some contain clauses that are seen to be biased to investors, said Third World Network adviser Martin Khor. -
6-Jun-2018 The Edge Markets Reassess Malaysia’s position in trade agreements — CAP
The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) is urging the government to assess its position in regional trade agreements like the TPP and the RCEP. -
4-Jun-2018 The Star Need to review trade policy and treaties
Trade deals cover many key issues besides trade and have huge implications for economic and social development, so they should also come under review by the new government. -
22-May-2018 The New Straits Times New government still deciding to pursue trade pact
The Malaysian government will review several trade agreements such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to see if its viable to be part of the trade partnerships. -
28-Mar-2018 Malaysian Digest Malaysia studying possibility of having FTA with Brazil
Malaysia is studying the possibility of establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Brazil, International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri J Jayasiri said. -
12-Feb-2018 Malaysian Reserve US-Malaysia FTA unlikely until CPTPP sealed
Unlikely that a US-Malaysia FTA will transpire anytime soon, says American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce -
8-Feb-2018 The Malay Mail Online Trade deals a major boost for the country, says Mustapa
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."
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FTA Malaysia
Critical portal about Malaysia’s FTAs maintained by Consumers Association of Penang, Third World Network and Sahabat Alam Malaysia -
Malaysia free trade agreements
Webpage on Malaysia’s FTA engagements, run by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. -
Status of Malaysia’s bilateral and regional FTA negotiations
From MITI
