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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 keen on FTA partnership with Bangladesh: Reports
4-Jun-2024 Fibre2Fashion
Malaysia is enthusiastic about signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh to boost bilateral trade and investment.
Malaysia keen to sign FTA, invites Bangladeshis for education, health
30-May-2024 Dhaka Tribune
Malaysia is keen to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh to increase two-way trade and investment and urges Bangladeshis to explore the international standard of education and healthcare services in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia needs more free trade agreements in Asean region to boost domestic economy, says Tengku Zafrul
6-Mar-2024 Malay Mail
Malaysia is looking to increase the number of free trade agreements, said its Investment, Trade and Industry Minister.
Malaysia to seal free trade deal with UAE by June, minister says
28-Feb-2024 Arab News
Malaysia expects to conclude a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates by the end of June, the country’s trade minister said, adding the deal could boost investment in Malaysia by the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth funds.
Malaysia is currently engaged in two ongoing FTA negotiations, says Tengku Zafrul
22-Nov-2023 The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia is currently negotiating two new free trade agreements: the Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement and the Asean-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
Malaysia PM proposes free trade pact between ASEAN, Gulf council
20-Oct-2023 Reuters
Malaysia is proposing the creation of a free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) its premier said on Friday at a summit of the two blocs.
Malaysia considers Sri Lanka’s request to discuss FTA
2-Oct-2023 Colombo Gazette
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has responded positively to Sri Lanka’s request to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Malaysia, UAE to launch negotiations on comprehensive trade pact
23-May-2023 The Star
Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to launch negotiations to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Malaysia, Turkiye to expedite negotiations on free trade agreement expansion
8-Jul-2022 The Malaysian Insight
Malaysia and Turkiye have committed to continue to work expeditiously to accelerate the completion of negotiations on the expansion of the Malaysia-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA) as soon as possible
Malaysia touts trade access as US Indo-Pacific plan only a ’good beginning’
16-May-2022 Reuters
Malaysia views US President Joe Biden’s proposed Indo-Pacific economic bloc as a welcome initiative but sees a bigger immediate opportunity in selling its access to a China-led trade pact.