logo
MITI: Malaysia to host second round of EU Free Trade talks in November

MITI: Malaysia to host second round of EU Free Trade talks in November

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is expected to host the second round of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) in November 2025, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
The ministry said the first round of MEUFTA talks took place in Brussels, Belgium, from June 30 to July 4, 2025, with 21 chapters currently under negotiation with the European Union (EU).
'In addition to traditional chapters such as trade in goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, services, and investment, the FTA with the EU also includes new chapters such as sustainable food systems and trade and sustainable development — topics which were not included when talks first began in 2010,' MITI said in a written reply published on the Parliament website today.
The response was to a question by Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN–Simpang Renggam) on whether MITI plans to resume FTA talks with the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the areas of focus.
MITI added that in 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and the EU reached RM218.9 billion (US$1=RM4.23), with exports totalling RM115.8 billion and imports RM103.1 billion.
Malaysia's main exports to the EU included electrical and electronic products, manufactured goods, palm oil and related products, processed foods, and optical and scientific equipment.
From 2021 to 2024, the total approved investments from EU countries in Malaysia's manufacturing and services sectors, overseen by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), amounted to RM198.2 billion.
Meanwhile, on the Malaysia-GCC FTA, Malaysia signed a joint statement with the GCC on May 26, 2025, to launch negotiations on an FTA between the two parties.
The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in September 2025.
In 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and the GCC reached RM101.8 billion, with exports amounting to RM25.7 billion and imports RM76.1 billion.
Malaysia's main exports to the GCC included electrical and electronic products, jewellery, petroleum products, palm oil and related goods, as well as processed food.
Key focus areas in the Malaysia-GCC FTA include trade in goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, services, investment, digital economy, and broader economic cooperation — aimed at strengthening strategic trade and investment ties.
'It is expected that Malaysia will benefit from greater export market access in GCC countries.
'This, in turn, will strengthen the position of Malaysian companies in global supply chains and help reduce the trade deficit between the two economies,' MITI said.
From 2021 to 2024, approved investments from GCC countries in Malaysia's manufacturing and services sectors under MIDA totalled RM105.9 million. — BERNAMA
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji
Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji

Free Malaysia Today

timean hour ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji

GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said many of Sabah's demands were approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whereas previous leaders found difficulty in devolving power to the state. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal leader's disdain for the proposed 'Borneo Bloc' political cooperation led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah into supporting Anwar Ibrahim's formation of the unity government after the 2022 general election, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said today. Speaking at the annual convention of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, he said a former federal leader, whom he did not name, had dismissed the idea of Bornean cooperation. 'I was with Masidi Manjun and Jeffrey Kitingan in a meeting with a big leader over there (in Peninsular Malaysia) at the time. The person said they were the masters. He did not like the Borneo Bloc. He did not want us to share our experiences and stories with our neighbouring state of Sarawak,' he said. 'I was shocked by his words. I thought about them for a long time. What did they mean? What was his intent? As I thought about it, I lost heart (tawar hati) in these people,' he said in a video of his speech published on Facebook by Sabah Media. Hajiji said it was after much thought that he finally decided that GRS would support the unity government being formed by Anwar. Since then, he said Anwar's government 'has listened to our voices, and we have been treated well', and reiterated that GRS remained in support of the prime minister. Hajiji said many of Sabah's demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were approved by Anwar, as opposed to previous leaders who found difficulty in devolving power to the state. 'So what are we hoping for? If the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the unity government had successfully resolved nine key claims related to MA63, including power to regulate gas supply in Sabah, the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak, and guidelines on land reserved for federal purposes in the two states.

People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide
People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide

The 'Turun Anwar' rally on Saturday was described by PAS as representing the people's vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. PETALING JAYA : The unity government will listen to all the people, and not just to the voices behind political microphones on rally stages, an aide to the prime minister said today. 'There is a big difference between the people's voice and the political agendas of certain parties who are trying to drag the people into validating their lust for power,' said Shamsul Iskandar Akin, senior political secretary to the prime minister. Shamsul Iskandar Akin. He said the government led by Anwar Ibrahim was built upon an electoral mandate and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and his coalition partners should return to the electoral arena if they were confident that public sentiment about the government had shifted. 'Not through street rallies, not by inflating crowd numbers, and not by manipulating racial and religious issues to provoke emotions,' he said in a statement, Bernama reported. His statement comes in the wake of the 'Turun Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which police said was attended by an estimated 18,000 people. However, PAS officials claimed that 200,000 people took part. The rally was later described by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan as a vote of no confidence by the people against Anwar and he urged the prime minister to take heed of the turnout and resign instead of waiting for a confidence motion in the Dewan Rakyat. Shamsul said in a statement that the government respected the people's right to assemble and express opinions, and had ensured that no harsh action was taken, no tear gas fired, and no stages destroyed. 'The people's right to speak is protected. But their voices must not be exploited, and democracy must not be held hostage in the name of vengeance and power struggles,' he said.

Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid
Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for party members to take BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. (Bernama pic) RAUB : Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that in today's challenging political landscape, decisions made by the party are aimed at ensuring the country's stability and future, even if those decisions are unpopular. Explaining the matter when officiating the Raub Umno division delegates' meeting, he emphasised that in any struggle, not all decisions taken will be comfortable, but they must be principled. 'No matter how high our position is in the party or government, we must realise that every post is a trust that must be carried out with full responsibility,' he said. Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and deputy prime minister, said what Umno needs most right now is unity of purpose and a strong fighting spirit, without faltering when tested. He also reminded party members to take Umno and BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. 'We have been tested twice in the general elections… enough of the divisions, quarrels, shooting at each other, and hidden saboteurs within. 'Let us learn from past weaknesses and fix Umno and BN from within. Hopefully, we can be dominant once again,' he said. At a press conference later, Zahid said Umno would look into whether any of its members had participated in the rally held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'Umno is now part of the unity government, and we must strengthen, not undermine, the government that is in place,' he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store