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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


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.
Malaysia-Pakistan trade set to improve this year
Malaysia-Pakistan tradeis expected to improve this year with the revival of Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA)
Malaysia, GCC To Resume FTA Talks
Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will resume talks on a free trade agreement this year, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Don’t sign agreements that erode workers’ rights
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is most concerned about the serious implications of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses and provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and other such agreements and treaties that Malaysia signs.
China against Malaysia-Taiwan FTA
Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang says China is against any move by Malaysia to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan.
Come clean on Malaysia’s trade with Israel, says PKR MP
A PKR lawmaker demanded today that Putrajaya reveal the trade relationship between pro-Palestine Malaysia and Israel amid the bloody conflict in Gaza.
FTA signing highlight of Najib’s Ankara trip
The signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Kuala Lumpur and Ankara will be the highlight of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s two-day visit to Turkey.
Malaysia-Pakistan FTA to be reviewed by month-end, says Mustapa
Malaysia and Pakistan will review the free trade agreement (FTA) between both countries by month-end, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
‘Havoc for palm oil sector’
Palm oil refiners, some of which are owned by the country’s largest conglomerates, may face a bleak future if Malaysia accedes to demand under free trade pacts to dismantle the crude palm oil (CPO) tax.
FTA talks with EU postponed to give way to TPPA negotiations
The negotiations on the free trade agreement between the European Union and Malaysia were postponed to give way to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement talks, said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.