ID :
165466
Thu, 03/03/2011 - 07:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/165466
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MALAYSIA-AUSTRALIA TO SIGN FTA WITHIN A YEAR
From Leslean Arshad
CANBERRA, March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Australia will sign the
Malaysia-Australia bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) within a year, after launching negotiations in 2005, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Najib, who arrived in the Australian capital for a three-day official visit beginning Wednesday, earlier met his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard who requested that the FTA talks be accelerated.
"We both agreed that it would be useful to set a certain timeline" said the Prime Minister at a joint press conference with Gillard at the Australian Prime Minister's courtyard here Thursday.
Gillard agreed that accelerating the FTA was a good idea.
"We will conclude the free trade agreement between our two nations within the coming year and we want to see it concluded and signed within the anniversary of this visit next year," she added.
Najib said the progress of the FTA would come on the back of continued Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
He was hopeful there would be some agreement on partnership arrangements before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November.
Najib said trade flow with Australia could be enhanced further.
"Our total trade is in the region of US$10 billion..its a good level, but we believe we can push it to even greater heights," he added.
CANBERRA, March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Australia will sign the
Malaysia-Australia bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) within a year, after launching negotiations in 2005, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Najib, who arrived in the Australian capital for a three-day official visit beginning Wednesday, earlier met his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard who requested that the FTA talks be accelerated.
"We both agreed that it would be useful to set a certain timeline" said the Prime Minister at a joint press conference with Gillard at the Australian Prime Minister's courtyard here Thursday.
Gillard agreed that accelerating the FTA was a good idea.
"We will conclude the free trade agreement between our two nations within the coming year and we want to see it concluded and signed within the anniversary of this visit next year," she added.
Najib said the progress of the FTA would come on the back of continued Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
He was hopeful there would be some agreement on partnership arrangements before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November.
Najib said trade flow with Australia could be enhanced further.
"Our total trade is in the region of US$10 billion..its a good level, but we believe we can push it to even greater heights," he added.
