M'sia, Japan resume free trade talks
Japan and Malaysia began a fourth round of talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) in Tokyo today, the Japanese trade ministry said.
During the talks, due to last three days, the two countries are to propose a list of goods, services and investment to be liberalised under an accord, a ministry official said.
Japan is expected to call on Malaysia to improve the business environment for foreign investors, the official said, adding that it will also seek to abolish tariffs on cars, textile and electronics imports.
Malaysia is in turn likely to urge Japan to lift trade barriers on farm product imports while calling on Tokyo to increase support for Kuala Lumpur's efforts to develop its science and technology base.
Japan and Malaysia held a first round of talks in January in Kuala Lumpur and are aiming to reach a final agreement by the end of this year.
Japan signed its first FTA with Singapore in 2002 and is also in talks with the Philippines and South Korea in addition to Thailand. It reached broad agreement on an FTA with Mexico in March.
Japan had been reluctant to conclude bilateral trade agreements due to its hard line over protection of farm products, in particular rice, but it has shifted its position following deadlock in World Trade Organisation talks and China's active overtures to neighbour countries in the region.
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