bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo
  1. Negotiations

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

Malaysia FTA on fast track
31-Mar-2005    
The government wants to fast track a newly emerged free trade agreement proposal with Malaysia, getting it done within a year.
Malaysia, India to sign FTA by year-end
29-Mar-2005     New Straits Times
India and Malaysia are on the verge of signing a comprehensive economic co-operation agreement by year-end. It will include free trade between the two nations.
Asia embraces free-trade links
13-Mar-2005     IHT
Malaysia is joining a long and growing list of Pacific nations rushing to sign free-trade agreements with their biggest trading partners.
Conference on free trade agreement in Melbourne
10-Mar-2005    
Australia will be hosting a conference on the Australia-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement on March 10 in Melbourne. The conference, which is organised by Monash University, is supported by the Australian Government.
Abdullah holds talks on FTA move
20-Feb-2005    
Malaysia has decided on several fresh moves in Pakistan's favour, including agreeing to accept it as a source country for labour.
Malaysia: Private sector told to engage in FTA process
27-Jan-2005     Bernama
Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz has called on the private sector to give their input and help the government in formulating free trade agreements (FTAs).
Malaysia-India joint study on CECA and possible FTA
19-Jan-2005    
Malaysia and India have agreed to undertake a joint feasibility study on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which includes the possibility of having Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Malaysia, Japan one step closer to FTA
25-Dec-2004     Asahi Shimbun
Japan and Malaysia on Friday took a step closer to reaching a free trade agreement, clearing a key hurdle related to the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector, government sources said.
Malaysian PM calls for FTA with India
20-Dec-2004     Times of India
Malaysian PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi on Monday underlined the need to strengthen India-Malaysia economic and trade co-operation through a free-trade agreement (FTA).
Malaysia, India hold talks on FTA
27-Sep-2004    
Malaysia is holding negotiations with India on establishing an ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (FTA), covering trade in goods, services and investment, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) CEO Datuk Merlyn Kasimir said today.