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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


NGOs submit memo to govt, call for halt to FTAs
A group of NGOs representing the Anti-FTA Coalition gathered on Thursday, 3 Dec 2010 at the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry to hand over a memorandum addressed to the Minister to register their concerns over Malaysia’s plan to enter into negotiations with the EU (bilateral) as well as the US (via the Trans-Pacific Partnership) which will take place next week in Belgium and New Zealand, respectively.
Matrade plans 113 trade promotion activities in 2011
Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) has lined up 113 trade promotion activities under its 2011 Work Programme to further expand exports.
Malaysia signs FTA with Chile, its first with Latin America
Malaysia and Chile signed the Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (MCFTA) today, marking Malaysia’s first bilateral FTA with a Latin American country.
KL and Canberra to sign free trade agreement by next year
Malaysia and Australia have agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by next year to further improve trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
FTA with Australia possible by mid-2011
The free trade agreement (FTA) talks between Australia and Malaysia are likely to be concluded by mid-2011.
Malaysia to get greater access to india for palm oil, cocoa in trade pact
Malaysia said it expects to conclude talks with India on a free-trade agreement next week that should see it obtain greater access for products including cocoa and palm oil as well as more stringent anti-dumping provisions.
Aussie firms urged to get ready for opportunities from FTA
Australian companies and investors have been advised to get ready to grab business opportunities in Malaysia as the free trade agreement between the two countries is expected to be signed later this year.
Malaysia on verge of finalising FTA with India
Malaysia said Monday it was on the verge of finalising a free trade agreement with India and that the deal was expected to be signed at the end of October.
EU Hopes To Start FTA Talks With Malaysia On The Sidelines Of ASEM, Says EU Envoy
The European Union (EU) hopes to start Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with Malaysia on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in early October.
1Malaysia Values Can Help Realise Asean Community - Najib
The assimilation of the noble values of the 1Malaysia concept in Malaysians will enable appreciation of the spirit of cooperation and oneness among the Asean societies to realise the Asean Community by 2015, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.