KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Malaysia is expected to host the second round of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) in November, according to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
The ministry said the first round of MEUFTA talks took place in Brussels, Belgium, from June 30 to July 4, with 21 chapters currently in negotiation with the European Union.
“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, with exports totalling RM115.8 billion and imports adding up to 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 to launch negotiations on an FTA between the two parties.
The first round of negotiations is scheduled for September.
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
