Interviews
Malaysia-US get over with first round of FTA negotiations
29 Jun '06
4 min read
ceramics, electrical and electronics and agricultural products, with current duties ranging from 5 – 32 per cent.
Tariffs on non-sensitive products have been proposed to be eliminated faster while sensitive products be given flexibility. Both sides also proposed that there should be adequate safeguard provisions to allow for remedial measures to be taken should injury to domestic industries occur as a result of liberalisation.
On investment the discussions focused on how to ensure the interests of investors as well as the host government can be protected. Malaysia raised the need to have adequate provisions in the agreement that would allow the continued pursuit of socio economic goals as contained in the various development plans.
On services, the US expects greater market access for its services suppliers. Malaysia will progressively liberalise its services sector taking into account its developmental status, the growth and contribution of the sector to the economy.
The FTA provides an opportunity for Malaysia to build competitiveness in sectors, such as, telecommunications, computer related services, education, professional services and business related services through greater collaboration with US service providers.
On environment, competition policy and intellectual property rights, discussions are still at the preliminary stage, on what should be the scope to be covered in the FTA. Malaysia wants information sharing,technical cooperation and training to build capacity in enforcement of international agreements to be the primary objective of any agreement in these areas.
Tariffs on non-sensitive products have been proposed to be eliminated faster while sensitive products be given flexibility. Both sides also proposed that there should be adequate safeguard provisions to allow for remedial measures to be taken should injury to domestic industries occur as a result of liberalisation.
On investment the discussions focused on how to ensure the interests of investors as well as the host government can be protected. Malaysia raised the need to have adequate provisions in the agreement that would allow the continued pursuit of socio economic goals as contained in the various development plans.
On services, the US expects greater market access for its services suppliers. Malaysia will progressively liberalise its services sector taking into account its developmental status, the growth and contribution of the sector to the economy.
The FTA provides an opportunity for Malaysia to build competitiveness in sectors, such as, telecommunications, computer related services, education, professional services and business related services through greater collaboration with US service providers.
On environment, competition policy and intellectual property rights, discussions are still at the preliminary stage, on what should be the scope to be covered in the FTA. Malaysia wants information sharing,technical cooperation and training to build capacity in enforcement of international agreements to be the primary objective of any agreement in these areas.
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