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
Articles
-
4-Jun-2012 Bernama Malaysia-Bangladesh FTA on the cards
Malaysia and Bangladesh are expected to commence negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in the near future, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia, A.K.M. Atiqur Rahman. -
29-Mar-2012 Borneo Post ‘Malaysia-Australia FTA on track despite Lynas issue’
The issue of the Lynas rare earth plant will not disrupt the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Malaysia and Australia, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. -
17-Feb-2012 FTA Malaysia MTUC concerns over FTAs deepen
The president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Khalid Atan has expressed his belief that the time has come for the 800,000-strong workers’ movement to mobilise against the free trade agreements that the government is negotiating. -
31-Jan-2012 Mafta to boost M’sia-Australia trade, investment ties
The proposed Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) will elevate the bilateral trade and investment relations of both nations to a new level, and build further on the achievements of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). -
7-Jan-2012 South Korea important in free trade nexus
After the deadlocks on the Asean-European Union and Malaysia-United States free trade agreements, Malaysia switched its earlier stance. -
22-Nov-2011 Bernama Malaysia hopes to sign several FTAs by end-2012
Malaysia is actively participating in free trade agreement negotiations and is optimistic of signing several FTAs by end-2012, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. -
19-Oct-2011 Free Malaysia Today FTA will make foreigners overly powerful
Foreign investors can bypass local laws and punish the government if the latter stops them from making profits under a FTA, says DAP’s Charles Santiago. -
3-Oct-2011 The Star M’sia looks to sign FTA with European Free Trade Association
The Government is doing feasibility studies to see whether it could embark on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) by mid next year, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. -
10-May-2011 Price of medicines may sky-rocket with FTA
The price of medicine might be out of reach for most people if Malaysia inks an understanding with the European Union on the Free Trade Agreement. -
15-Mar-2011 Trade talks need balanced inputs
The fate of the multilateral Doha Round talks to come up with an outline agreement for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by July rests in the hands of both developed and developing economies, said European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. -
11-Feb-2011 The Star India: FTA will boost Malaysia palm oil sector
Next week’s free trade agreement (FTA) signing between Malaysia and India will be a further boost for the country’s palm oil sector and Sabah, in particular, stands to benefit. -
31-Jan-2011 The Star Malaysia and Gulf nations boost ties towards FTA
Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council signed a landmark framework agreement to boost economic, commercial, investment and technical cooperation between them. -
19-Jan-2011 The Star Trade pact with Gulf Cooperation Council on the cards
The framework of the cooperation agreement between Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has been completed and the next step is to sign the free trade agreement, according to Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. -
20-Dec-2010 Malaysiakini Put a hold on FTAs unfavourable to us
The Consumers Association of Penang is deeply concerned about the implications FTAs with the US (via the TPP) and the EU might have on various aspects of Malaysia’s development. -
15-Dec-2010 Put a hold on FTAs unfavourable to us
The Malaysian government last week negotiated free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States of America (via the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement or TPP) and the European Union (EU). -
3-Dec-2010 Third World Network 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. -
2-Dec-2010 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. -
13-Nov-2010 Bernama 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. -
2-Nov-2010 The Star 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. -
29-Oct-2010 The Star 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.
-
FTA Malaysia
Critical portal about Malaysia’s FTAs maintained by Consumers Association of Penang, Third World Network and Sahabat Alam Malaysia -
Malaysia free trade agreements
Webpage on Malaysia’s FTA engagements, run by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. -
Status of Malaysia’s bilateral and regional FTA negotiations
From MITI
