- 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
28-Aug-2018
Malaysian Reserve
The FTA was placed on hold since the region was impacted by various unfortunate circumstances such as the Arab Spring, followed by the global financial crisis, as well as the plunge in crude oil prices.
28-Aug-2018
The Straits Times
Malaysia will go ahead with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to the wide-ranging trade pact involving 11 nations.
29-Jun-2018
The Edge Markets
Malaysia should review bilateral investment treaties to see if it is fair to remain in these trade agreements as some contain clauses that are seen to be biased to investors, said Third World Network adviser Martin Khor.
6-Jun-2018
The Edge Markets
The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) is urging the government to assess its position in regional trade agreements like the TPP and the RCEP.
4-Jun-2018
The Star
Trade deals cover many key issues besides trade and have huge implications for economic and social development, so they should also come under review by the new government.
22-May-2018
The New Straits Times
The Malaysian government will review several trade agreements such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to see if its viable to be part of the trade partnerships.
28-Mar-2018
Malaysian Digest
Malaysia is studying the possibility of establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Brazil, International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri J Jayasiri said.
12-Feb-2018
Malaysian Reserve
Unlikely that a US-Malaysia FTA will transpire anytime soon, says American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce
8-Feb-2018
The Malay Mail Online
Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said, "Malaysia has been an open economy dependent on trade and we have been one of the biggest supporters of free trade."
30-Jan-2018
Parti Sosialis Malaysia
It is now time we open up the dialogue on the kind of trade agreements that we want to see in place.
