AUSTRALIA WELCOMES M'SIA'S LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Australia welcomed the Malaysian
Government's services and foreign investment liberalisation programme, said its
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

He said this was an important signal of Malaysia's commitment to
liberalisation and an open economy.

"The Australian Government is looking forward to the upcoming negotiations
on the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Mafta).

"Our commercial relationship is very strong and I look forward to the
forthcoming negotiations on the Mafta, building on the success of the
recently-concluded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement," said
Smith, who was on his first official visit to Malaysia, and accompanying
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, in an Australian Foreign Ministry media
release faxed to Bernama today.

According to Smith, he met with other Malaysian ministers, including
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Affairs Minister Datuk
Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein today.

"We discussed a range of issues, including our response to the global
economic recession and the outlook for both our economies," he said.

On the Australia-Malaysia Sister Schools programme, Smith said the number of
schools in the programme would be doubled to 24.

"Australia and Malaysia also agreed to negotiate memoranda of understanding
on sports cooperation, higher education and film co-production.

"I am pleased that Australia will offer a sports coaching scholarship to
Malaysia, supported by the Australia-Malaysia Institute," he said.

On Monday, Smith met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman for
the inaugural Australia-Malaysia Foreign Minister's Meeting.

He then accompanied Rudd to meet with Prime Minister Najib Razak whereby,
the two national leaders agreed to share greater intelligence relating to people
smuggling, and for defence chiefs to discuss greater cooperation on combating
the menace.
-- BERNAMA