ISDS Case Map
Malaysia
The proliferation of bilateral free trade agreements (FTA) will not undermine the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) process but instead may smoothen it, Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
Malaysia and Japan are close to agreeing in principle the issues related to trade talks and other matters negotiated under the Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement (JMEPA).
Australian companies, which previously shied away from Malaysia fearing that political differences between their governments would hinder business, are now looking at the country favourably.
Australia and Malaysia are to begin formal negotiations on a bilateral trade deal as part of efforts to improve their sometimes tense relations. The negotiations were announced in Canberra yesterday after talks between John Howard, Australia's prime minister, and Abdullah Badawi, the first Malaysian prime minister to visit the country in more than 20 years.
Malaysia and New Zealand have rescheduled the signing of a free trade agreement to the end of the year, six months ahead of the June 2006 deadline announced on Thursday.
Negotiations over a free trade agreement between Japan and Malaysia have hit a speed bump over cars, a focal point of the talks, due to Kuala Lumpur's determination to continue protecting its local industry.
Australia and Malaysia will give the green light to start talks for a free trade deal as Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi makes his first official visit to Australia.
The government wants to fast track a newly emerged free trade agreement proposal with Malaysia, getting it done within a year.
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that Malaysia and New Zealand have agreed to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement as soon as possible.
