- Negotiations
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
18-Jun-2007
Malaysia’s halal standards are not an issue hindering the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and New Zealand, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia David Kersey said.
11-Jun-2007
Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed upon the need for early finalization of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reports Monday.
29-May-2007
Malaysia will allow import of Pakistan’s textile products free of duty under a new free trade agreement.
22-Mar-2007
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said Malaysia is considering discussing free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
18-Nov-2006
Bernama
Malaysia is starting Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with Chile, which will pave the way to turn the latter as the launch pad for the country’s exports to Latin American markets of 550 million people and worth US$298 billion.
22-Oct-2006
Bernama
Though their reasons and goals are different, both Canada and US are interested to sign treaties with Malaysia to facilitate trade.
13-Sep-2006
New Straits Times
Foreign food products are making their way into the country under the Free Trade Agreements and market liberalisation, while Malaysian products are struggling to penetrate foreign markets.
13-Sep-2006
Business Times
Malaysia should diversify its trade agreements beyond its traditional trading bloc in the Asean region and focus on expanding liberalisation of trade policies to enhance its competitiveness in global trade.
28-Aug-2006
Taiwan is eager to enter into a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia, according to its vice-president Annette Lu Hsiu-lien.
25-Aug-2006
Australia wants access to Malaysia’s government procurement market, which currently favors the country’s majority ethnic Malays, enshrined in a free trade deal, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.
