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TWN Info Service on Free
Trade Agreements
08 March 2007
Nation’s Interest to be Protected, says PM
The Cabinet on Wednesday discussed the Malaysia-US FTA during which
the ministers gave their views on those issues which concern their respective
ministries.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported to have given the
assurance that the government would always safeguard the nation's interest
in its negotiations with the United States.
However, the issues have yet to be decided as the Cabinet is expected
to continue with their deliberations at next week’s Cabinet meeting,
which will be crucial as important decisions will be made then.
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PM: Govt Will Always Safeguard Nation's Interest In FTA Negotiations
Bernama, March 07, 2007 20:21 PM
(http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=250176)
KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi said the government would always safeguard the nation's
interest in its negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
the United States.
Contacted by Bernama today, he said the matter was discussed at length
and in detail by the Cabinet today and the matter would again be discussed
at next week's Cabinet meeting.
"The government fully understands the thinking and concerns of
the people on this matter. I would like to assure that the nation's
interest will always be safeguarded and would not be sacrificed in any
way," he said.
Some quarters had expressed concerns that the FTA with the United States
would only benefit the Americans.
A total of 18 issues are being negotiated with the United States in the FTA and they
include industrial goods, textiles and clothing, Customs procedures,
intellectual property rights, agriculture, financial services, telecommunications,
the environment and investment.
The two countries have held various rounds of negotiations in the last
one year with the latest in Kota Kinabalu last month.
Malaysia has taken
the stand that there is no time frame for the conclusion of the FTA
negotiations but the United States
hopes that the FTA could be sealed by July this year.
-- BERNAMA’
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Free Trade Agreement with the US: Nation's interests will be safeguarded,
says PM
08 Mar 2007
New Straits Times (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Thursday/Frontpage/20070308075458/Article/index_html)
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government would
always safeguard the nation’s interests in its negotiations on a free
trade agreement with the United States.
Bernama quoted the prime minister as saying that the matter was discussed
at length and in detail by the Cabinet yesterday and would again be
discussed at next week’s meeting.
"The government fully understands the thinking and concerns of
the people in this matter.
"I would like to assure that the nation’s interests will always
be safeguarded and would not be sacrificed in any way," he said.
Some quarters had expressed concerns that the FTA would only benefit
the Americans.
The two countries have held various rounds of negotiations in the last
year, with the latest in Kota Kinabalu last month.
Malaysia feels there
should be no time-frame for the conclusion of the FTA negotiations while
the US wants an agreement
before the expiry in June of President George W. Bush’s "fast-track
authority", which compels the US Congress to accept or reject it
in toto.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the views of all ministries on the impact
of the FTA were gathered at the meeting.
Asked on the outcome, one minister said it was decided that another
set of discussions would be held soon.
After five rounds of inconclusive negotiations, and with the US deadline looming
large, ministers were asked last month to give their opinions on the
58 contentious issues said to be holding back an agreement.
Among them are questions about intellectual property rights and certain
government policies, including procurement.
Human Resources Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the Cabinet
meeting yesterday took longer than usual due to lengthy discussions
on the FTA.
He said he had presented his ministry’s stand on labour-related issues.
"I cannot divulge the details. Whatever is decided by the Cabinet
is a collective position. We act as a team," he said.
Fong said through the FTA, Malaysia
would also seek to further increase trade and investments in both directions,
create higher-paying jobs and enhance competitiveness.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
said: "We are still discussing and nothing has been finalised yet.
So just wait for the announcement. We have decided not to make conflicting
statements," he said.
The March deadline was imposed by the Americans who have to present
it to Congress 90 days before the current Trade Promotion Authority
to negotiate FTAs lapses.
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the co-ordinator of
the negotiations, has taken the lead in most of the issues discussed,
ranging from market access, trade remedies, rules of origin, investment,
services and capacity-building.
The US is Malaysia’s largest
investor with more than RM104 billion in cumulative investments in the
country. It is also Malaysia’s
single largest trading partner, while Malaysia
is the US’
10th largest.’
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