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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


New government still deciding to pursue trade pact
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.
Malaysia studying possibility of having FTA with Brazil
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.
US-Malaysia FTA unlikely until CPTPP sealed
Unlikely that a US-Malaysia FTA will transpire anytime soon, says American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce
Trade deals a major boost for the country, says Mustapa
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."
Towards a peoples charter on international trade agreements
It is now time we open up the dialogue on the kind of trade agreements that we want to see in place.
Don’t sign revised trade pact, consumers group urges government
Consumers Association of Penang says the new agreement will be even worse than the original as there will not even be the benefit of selling more exports to the US.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM): Reject all unfair trade deals, including TPPA’s replacement
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said it would fight all trade agreements that it considered unfair and only favoured big corporations, including a new regional economic partnership that is set to replace the US-sponsored Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Malaysian Chinese feel impact of China’s "Belt and Road" initiative
In Malaysia, people of Chinese descent account for about a quarter of the population. With China seeking a stronger economic foothold overseas through its "Belt and Road" initiative, this community is looking to benefit.
An upgraded TIFA paves the way for higher economic engagement between the US and Malaysia
An upgraded Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) version, to the level of a bilateral free trade agreement, will pave the way for higher economic engagement between the US and Malaysia, said official
FTAs with Iran, HK, by yearend: MITI
Malaysia expects to conclude free trade agreements with Hong Kong and Iran by year-end and affirms that the FTA between Malaysia and EU is also advancing