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  jata  Malaysia's Free Trade Agreements

Media Statement : on TPPA by Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed Minister of International Trade and Industry

Some of the issues and arguments highlighted by the media statement released by YB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the TPP are not new. In fact, issues such as State-owned enterprises (SOEs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) and affordable healthcare are among the concerns prioritized by our negotiators during the on-going TPP negotiations.

Our stand on these issues is based on inputs and feedback gathered from various local stakeholders via a number of consultation and engagement sessions. I would like to reiterate that Malaysia will not rush into signing TPPA until we are convinced that on balance the benefits outweigh the costs. The Government wishes to assure the Malaysian public that advancing national interest and safeguarding national sovereignty are our top priorities.  

The Malaysian TPP negotiation team is represented by senior government officials from various ministries and government agencies who are experts in their respective fields. MITI also wish to state that the negotiators are competent and experienced bureaucrats who have been successful in negotiating a number of multilateral and FTA agreements in recent years.  

Going forward, MITI has taken serious note of public concerns on transparency and secrecy of the negotiations. The Government also welcomes the setting up of the bipartisan Parliamentary Caucus on TPPA. The Caucus was in Kota Kinabalu last month during the 18th round of TPP negotiations and the Caucus’ presence is welcome during the 19th round of TPP negotiations which will take place in Brunei on 22nd to 30th August 2013. MITI will continue to engage with the Caucus to receive feedback and inputs. Interactions with the Caucus thus far have been constructive.

I would like to emphasize that Malaysia’s involvement in TPP negotiations does not take away our commitment and priority towards ASEAN. China not being part of TPPA does not in any way diminish its importance as a significant trading partner.

The TPP negotiations are still work in progress and MITI welcome further inputs from the Malaysian public. Following the fruitful Open Day on TPPA held on 1st August 2013, MITI is planning to have similar engagements in the near future before the TPP negotiations are concluded.  


Ministry of International Trade and Industry,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
13 August 2013


 


Last Updated 2015-07-21 16:41:51 by vox vox

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