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 too hasty in signing EFTA trade agreement

1-Jul-2025 Consumers' Association of Penang

Consumers' Association of Penang express strong disappointment over Malaysia's rushed signing of a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, criticizing the government's failure to address concerns about the intellectual property (IP) provisions.

Malaysia signs free trade pact with Norway, Iceland and other EFTA countries

25-Jun-2025 ScandAsia

Malaysia has signed a wide-ranging economic partnership agreement with the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Malaysia – EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) will jeopardise public health, access to seeds & farmers’ rights

17-Jun-2025 Consumers' Association of Penang

Consumers' Association of Penang submitted a Memorandum on June 2025 to strongly urge the Malaysian government not to rush to endorse and/or sign the trade deal with EFTA. If a deal is to be signed, such a deal must not contain any TRIPS-plus obligation.

Malaysia-European Free Trade Association partnership agreement could negatively impact many sectors, says CAP

16-Jun-2025 The Star

The proposed Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) could negatively affect public health, farmers' rights, and food security in Malaysia. It includes "TRIPS-plus" intellectual property provisions that extend patent monopolies, limit access to affordable generic medicines, and increase drug costs.

Don’t trade away farmers’ rights: reject UPOV in EFTA-Malaysia agreement

30-May-2025 Sahabat Alam Malaysia

CSOs in Malaysia write a letter to expresses serious concerns about the potential inclusion of UPOV 1991 in the Malaysia-European Free Trade Association Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA), warning that it could undermine Malaysia’s existing plant variety protection law, harm farmers’ rights, and restrict seed sovereignty.

Malaysia and GCC launched free trade agreement negotiations

27-May-2025 Indiplomacy

Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have officially launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties across goods, services, and broader economic cooperation.

Malaysia continues GCC trade talks that began in 2011

10-May-2025 AGBI

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that talks on closing a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council are continuing, 14 years after they first began.

Uzbekistan, Malaysia hammer out developing preferential trade agreement

6-Feb-2025 Trend

Uzbekistan and Malaysia are strengthening economic ties through a proposed preferential trade agreement and increased cooperation across various sectors. Uzbekistan is actively seeking Malaysian investment in its privatization program and has established a special economic zone managed by a Malaysian company.

Malaysia’s digital push: FTA reform to drive regional growth

30-Jan-2025 OpenGov

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim outlined Malaysia’s focus on integrating digitalisation into the country’s Free Trade Agreements.

Malaysia to enhance trade with BRICS, FTA partners in 2025

30-Jan-2025 Xinhua English News

Malaysia has announced its 2025 trade targets, prioritizing partnerships with the BRICS group, leveraging existing Free Trade Agreements, and focusing on emerging markets. As the 2025 ASEAN chair, Malaysia will also emphasize regional integration, digital transformation, and sustainable growth in its trade strategy.

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