The government is unlikely to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) by October, said International Trade and Industry (Miti) Deputy Minister Ir Hamim Samuri.

“I don’t think it will happen by this October, not only for Malaysia, but other countries as well.

“It has been mentioned that there are gaps between the ministry and the public and talks will resume after the 19th Summit in Brunei,” he told reporters at the ‘Best Practices in One-Stop Service Global Forum’ in Subang Jaya today.

He said that Miti would continuously engage the public as other countries are facing the same situation of hoping for more discussions.

“We need to have this continuous public engagement as there are too many perceptions of the TPPA by the public,” Hamim said.

Meanwhile, the Best Practices in One-Stop Service Global Forum, is a new concept in providing services.

Countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal and Brazil are all developing one-stop service centres for their citizens and businesses.

The forum provides an opportunity for other countries to share their experience and best practices with Malaysian public managers.

The Global Forum has been developed in collaboration with the Institute for Citizen-Centred Service in Canada, the global leader in identifying best practices in one-stop service, as well as in public sector service excellence.

- Bernama