Business Times, Malaysia

Syria proposes FTA talks with Malaysia

3 July 2007

Syria has proposed negotiation on a Malaysia-Syria free trade agreement (FTA) at the first joint trade commission meeting, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said today.

Hence, a study will be carried out on the proposal and this is expected to be completed by January next year, she said after the meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting was co-chaired by Rafidah and her Syrian counterpart Dr Amer Husni Lutfi.

Both ministers noted that such an FTA will be Malaysia’s first with a West Asian country, while for Syria it will be the first FTA with an Asian country.

Last year, Syria was Malaysia’s 11th largest trading partner in West Asia with total trade between both countries valued at RM578.3 million, of which exports amounted to RM572.0 million and imports at RM6.3 million. - Bernama