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  1. Negotiations

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 continues to forge trade, investment ties with global strategic partners, says Tengku Zafrul
15-Jul-2025 The Star
The Trade Minister said their discussions covered various strategic initiatives, from the review of free trade agreements, including the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement.
Malaysia too hasty in signing EFTA trade agreement
1-Jul-2025 Consumers’ Association of Penang
Consumers’ Association of Penang express strong disappointment over Malaysia’s rushed signing of a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, criticizing the government’s failure to address concerns about the intellectual property (IP) provisions.
Malaysia signs free trade pact with Norway, Iceland and other EFTA countries
25-Jun-2025 ScandAsia
Malaysia has signed a wide-ranging economic partnership agreement with the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Malaysia – EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) will jeopardise public health, access to seeds & farmers’ rights
17-Jun-2025 Consumers’ Association of Penang
Consumers’ Association of Penang submitted a Memorandum on June 2025 to strongly urge the Malaysian government not to rush to endorse and/or sign the trade deal with EFTA. If a deal is to be signed, such a deal must not contain any TRIPS-plus obligation.
Malaysia-European Free Trade Association partnership agreement could negatively impact many sectors, says CAP
16-Jun-2025 The Star
The proposed Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) could negatively affect public health, farmers’ rights, and food security in Malaysia. It includes "TRIPS-plus" intellectual property provisions that extend patent monopolies, limit access to affordable generic medicines, and increase drug costs.
Don’t trade away farmers’ rights: reject UPOV in EFTA-Malaysia agreement
30-May-2025 Sahabat Alam Malaysia
CSOs in Malaysia write a letter to expresses serious concerns about the potential inclusion of UPOV 1991 in the Malaysia-European Free Trade Association Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA), warning that it could undermine Malaysia’s existing plant variety protection law, harm farmers’ rights, and restrict seed sovereignty.
Malaysia and GCC launched free trade agreement negotiations
27-May-2025 Indiplomacy
Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have officially launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties across goods, services, and broader economic cooperation.
Malaysia continues GCC trade talks that began in 2011
10-May-2025 AGBI
Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that talks on closing a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council are continuing, 14 years after they first began.
Uzbekistan, Malaysia hammer out developing preferential trade agreement
6-Feb-2025 Trend
Uzbekistan and Malaysia are strengthening economic ties through a proposed preferential trade agreement and increased cooperation across various sectors. Uzbekistan is actively seeking Malaysian investment in its privatization program and has established a special economic zone managed by a Malaysian company.
Malaysia’s digital push: FTA reform to drive regional growth
30-Jan-2025 OpenGov
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim outlined Malaysia’s focus on integrating digitalisation into the country’s Free Trade Agreements.