TWN Info Service on Free Trade Agreements

29 February 2008


Malaysia-US FTA Discussions Still Alive

Discussions on the US-Malaysia FTA is ongoing despite the Malaysian Parliament having been dissolved in the runup to the general election, the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Rafidah Aziz revealed.

The last formal face-to-face talks between both countries were held in January in Kuala Lumpur. It is expected that the next round of negotiations will take place soon after the parliamentary elections.

US officials have indicated that they hope to conclude a FTA with Malaysia before the new administration takes over office. The US presidential elections in scheduled to be held in November.

However, since it is unlikely that a Presidential "fast track trade authority" is be issued during the remaining term of President George W. Bush, there is serious doubt that a FTA agreed to by the US administration will get through Congress intact. (TWN FTA Info, 26 February 2008)


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(http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=314513)

US-M'sia FTA talks still on: Rafidah
19 February, 2008

Kuala Lumpur: Negotiations on the U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement is still on-going although the Parliament has been dissolved to pave the way for the general election, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.

"We have a timetable for discussion. So, the discussion goes on at the official level. Although there is no one-on-one discussion, they do it via teleconferencing and e-mail. Certain issues do not need a formal meeting," she told reporters after the launching of DHL's SME Logistics Solutions programme here Monday.

She was asked on whether the FTA talks will be disrupted with the dissolvement of the Parliment last week.

Meanwhile, on the country's logistics industry, Rafidah said there were currently about 22,000 companies in the industry in Malaysia.

The local logistics industry comprises largely single specialised service providers such as freight forwarders, transport companies and warehousing companies. - Bernama