ID :
206641
Mon, 09/12/2011 - 13:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206641
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FTAS REFLECTIVE OF MSIA'S LIBERAL STAND, SAYS MINISTER
FTAS REFLECTIVE OF MSIA'S LIBERAL STAND, SAYS MINISTER
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The affirmative action taken by the
government which is merit based and the free trade agreements (FTAs) signed with
several countries are proof that Malaysia is not a protectionist country,
Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed said Monday.
He said under the country's New Economic Model (NEM), the third objective
was about inclusiveness whereby decisions are made on merit base -- a policy
which is practiced in other Asian countries as well and not only in Malaysia.
"The new approach to our affirmative action is merit based and this will
ensure Malaysia continues to be a competitive nation moving forward," he said at
a press conference held in conjunction with the Second Forbes CEO Conference
here Monday.
Mustapa was responding to a question on whether Malaysia would be able to
retain its competitiveness while maintaining "protectionism".
Malaysia recently moved up to the 21st position in the Global
Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) from the 26th position
last year.
Mustapa pointed out that there was no protectionism when it came to free
trade agreements with its trade partners such as Asean.
"We are now talking to nine countries on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Agreement including United States and we are also discussing with the European
Union on a possible FTA. It clearly shows that Malaysia is a very open economy
and not a protectionist economy," he added.
To date, Malaysia has signed FTAs with Japan, Pakistan, New Zealand and
Chile while with Asean as a group, it has FTAs with China, Japan, South Korea,
India, Australia and New Zealand.
On the progress of the TPP talks, he said negotiations have entered the
eighth round, where discussions have been on specifics and details of issues
such as the kind of tariffs, the sectors to be opened up and also matters
related to Malaysia's financial industry.
"Our people are now in Chicago for the eighth round of negotiations. It is a
very comprehensive partnership, (with) negotiations covering every sector
including government procurement.
"Malaysia has constructive role in this negotiation," he added.
Malaysia is the latest member in the TPP, which also includes Australia,
Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States and Vietnam.
The latest negotiations are expected to end on September 14 while the next
round, scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru, will kick off in the last week of
October.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The affirmative action taken by the
government which is merit based and the free trade agreements (FTAs) signed with
several countries are proof that Malaysia is not a protectionist country,
Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed said Monday.
He said under the country's New Economic Model (NEM), the third objective
was about inclusiveness whereby decisions are made on merit base -- a policy
which is practiced in other Asian countries as well and not only in Malaysia.
"The new approach to our affirmative action is merit based and this will
ensure Malaysia continues to be a competitive nation moving forward," he said at
a press conference held in conjunction with the Second Forbes CEO Conference
here Monday.
Mustapa was responding to a question on whether Malaysia would be able to
retain its competitiveness while maintaining "protectionism".
Malaysia recently moved up to the 21st position in the Global
Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) from the 26th position
last year.
Mustapa pointed out that there was no protectionism when it came to free
trade agreements with its trade partners such as Asean.
"We are now talking to nine countries on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Agreement including United States and we are also discussing with the European
Union on a possible FTA. It clearly shows that Malaysia is a very open economy
and not a protectionist economy," he added.
To date, Malaysia has signed FTAs with Japan, Pakistan, New Zealand and
Chile while with Asean as a group, it has FTAs with China, Japan, South Korea,
India, Australia and New Zealand.
On the progress of the TPP talks, he said negotiations have entered the
eighth round, where discussions have been on specifics and details of issues
such as the kind of tariffs, the sectors to be opened up and also matters
related to Malaysia's financial industry.
"Our people are now in Chicago for the eighth round of negotiations. It is a
very comprehensive partnership, (with) negotiations covering every sector
including government procurement.
"Malaysia has constructive role in this negotiation," he added.
Malaysia is the latest member in the TPP, which also includes Australia,
Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States and Vietnam.
The latest negotiations are expected to end on September 14 while the next
round, scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru, will kick off in the last week of
October.
-- BERNAMA
