- 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
7-Sep-2005
THE proposed New Zealand-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is on track, with the third round of talks to be hosted in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 14.
29-Aug-2005
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said she was confident that Malaysia would be able to sign a free trade agreement with Japan by December this year.
26-Aug-2005
The process of negotiation for the possible Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be concluded by mid-2006, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
12-Aug-2005
Malaysia’s ties with the economic powerhouse of China are set to strengthen further with the implementation of the Asean-China Free Trade Area (FTA), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.
9-Aug-2005
A huge interest was aroused when Singapore signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. The impression was that Singapore, though a vital member of Asean, was independent-minded in forging its economic interest beyond the regional grouping.
5-Jul-2005
Bernama
Malaysia’s trade is expected to continue to flourish following its free trade agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners in Asia, both regionally and bilaterally, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
26-May-2005
Forbes
The EU is studying the feasibility of a free trade agreement between it and Malaysia, national news agency Bernama reported.
26-May-2005
PDI
Japan and Malaysia on Wednesday sealed the outline of a free-trade agreement (FTA) that will open up a major new market for Japanese automakers with the lifting of heavy tariffs on Japanese cars within 10 years.
22-May-2005
Bernama
Commercial linkages between Malaysia and Japan are set increase significantly with both countries having achieved a breakthrough in finalising negotiations for a Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement (JMEPA).
19-May-2005
Forbes
Malaysian and Japanese officials have yet to resolve differences over the auto and steel sectors which are seen as major obstacles to progress towards a free trade agreement (FTA), Agence France-Presse reported, citing an official familiar with the talks.
