

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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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." -
30-Jan-2018 Parti Sosialis Malaysia Towards a peoples charter on international trade agreements
It is now time we open up the dialogue on the kind of trade agreements that we want to see in place. -
25-Jan-2018 Free Malaysia Today News Don’t sign revised trade pact, consumers group urges government
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. -
17-Jan-2018 FMT News Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM): Reject all unfair trade deals, including TPPA’s replacement
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). -
15-Jan-2018 NHK World Malaysian Chinese feel impact of China’s "Belt and Road" initiative
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. -
17-Nov-2017 New Straits Times An upgraded TIFA paves the way for higher economic engagement between the US and Malaysia
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 -
31-Jul-2017 Bernama FTAs with Iran, HK, by yearend: MITI
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 -
18-Jul-2017 Free Malaysia Today US, Malaysia set to pursue bilateral trade talks
Both nations will establish working groups to address trade matters that include labour, intellectual property and the environment. -
7-Jul-2017 The Sun Daily Malaysia in bilateral consultations with US, says US ambassador
Bilateral consultations are underway between Malaysia and the US to enhance the economic and trade relationship between the two countries in a bilateral channel. -
1-Mar-2017 New Strait Times Malaysia-GCC trade deal on hold for now
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Malaysia is keen to revive the framework agreement but there have been challenges. -
16-Feb-2017 New Straits Times Bilateral trade deals ’more realistic’ option: Mustapa
In the absence of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, bilateral trade agreements with trading partners would be a ‘doable and more realistic’ option for Malaysia, International Trade and Industry Minister said. -
8-Feb-2017 The Star Palm oil exports to Iran to grow by up to 40% next year
The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry is positive Malaysia’s total export of palm oil and palm oil products to Iran will grow by 30%-40% under a preferential or free trade agreement. -
4-Jan-2017 The Star Malay Chamber of Commerce eyes African market
President Datuk Syed Ali Alattas to take advantage of Sudan’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union by investing in the African country. -
21-Dec-2016 New Straits Times Cabinet gives green light for FTA with Iran
Malaysia will embark on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) talks with Iran to take advantage of the potential growth of bilateral business. -
16-Dec-2016 Bernama Malaysia, Sri Lanka to explore possibility of initiating FTA
Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to explore the possibility of initiating the Malaysia-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in efforts to promote trade between the two countries. -
18-Feb-2016 Khazanah Research Institute Why trade matters
International trade has been an important component in the economies of the Malay Archipelago. Despite this, the extent to which international trade affects our daily lives may not be fully appreciated by many of us. -
26-Oct-2015 The Rakyat Post No cheaper milk despite NZ FTA
Consumer prices of dairy products imported from New Zealand will most likely remain at the current level although the free trade agreement (FTA) between the southern country and Malaysia will fully kick off in 2016. -
19-Oct-2015 The Star Malaysia in talks on FTA with Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Malaysian Government is in discussions on establishing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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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