KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are in the process of finalising a suitable date to begin the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
This development follows reports last month stating that MITI was scheduled to commence the first round of FTA negotiations with GCC member countries in December this year.
MITI stated on the Parliament’s website today that the move towards finalisation follows the signing of a joint statement between Malaysia and the GCC on May 26, 2025, which was later followed by the signing of the terms of reference by the chief negotiators of both sides on July 17, 2025.
“The main scope of the FTA negotiations agreed upon by both parties covers trade in goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, services, investment, digital trade, technical barriers to trade, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“These are aimed at strengthening the Malaysia-GCC strategic partnership as key trading and investment partners,” the ministry said.
MITI was responding to Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (BN-Kalabakan), who asked the ministry to outline the steps being taken in the FTA negotiations with the GCC.
The ministry said that to protect the interests of the agricultural sector, MSMEs and national standards, the FTA negotiating team will include representatives from various ministries and relevant agencies.
The representatives include the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, and the Department of Standards Malaysia.
“In addition, as part of the preparations, MITI held a consultation session on April 21, 2025, involving about 200 representatives from industries, business chambers and associations, as well as government ministries and agencies, to discuss the upcoming FTA negotiations,” MITI said.
-- BERNAMA
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