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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, 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.
Malaysia, Turkey to finalise entire package of expanded FTA by middle of 2022, says senior minister
25-Nov-2021 Malay Mail
Malaysia and Turkey are set to conclude the text-based negotiations for an expanded free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries by year-end and finalise the entire package by the middle of 2022.
Malaysia signs joint FTA extension with Turkey
14-Jul-2021 The Star
Malaysia and Turkey have signed a joint declaration on the expansion of the free trade agreement or FTA between the two governments to reinforce the mandate in pursuing the expansion of the agreement to include chapters on services, investment and e-commerce.
Tehran, Kuala Lumpur getting closer to sign PTA
28-Sep-2020 Tehran Times
After nearly four years of negotiations, Iran and Malaysia are getting closer to the signing of a long-awaited preferential trade agreement.
Iran, Malaysia discuss preferential trade agreement
14-Sep-2020 Tehran Times
The third round of talks for signing a preferential trade agreement between Iran and Malaysia was held through video conference, an official with Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) announced.
UK keen on joint committee to boost bilateral trade post-Brexit
27-Mar-2020 The Malaysian Reserve
The British government remains hopeful of setting up a joint committee to boost bilateral trade and investment with Malaysia amid changes to the federal government.
Without EU FTA, Malaysia to lose out — ambassador
7-Oct-2019 The Edge Markets
While the Malaysia-European Union (EU) trade and investment flows have been stable thus far, Malaysia’s trade advantages could decrease in the future, as negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the bloc remain suspended.
Malaysia welcomes MAFTA review but priority given to RCEP conclusion
21-Aug-2019 Malay Mail
Malaysia welcomes the review of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) but any effort to do so will only be considered after the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have been concluded.