Malaysia: CPTPP decision must take in investors’ view of Malaysia, says Ong

• WHETHER Malaysia ratifies the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) must take into account how foreign investors will view the country’s position in Asean, said Dr Ong Kian Ming.
• The deputy international trade and industry minister said this is important seeing as to how the region’s top three trading powerhouses – Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand – have either ratified the agreement or expressed strong interest in joining.
• He said there is also growing discussion on the possibility of China joining the pact. “Although I do not anticipate China being part of CPTPP in the next one or two years, we cannot discount that possibility, especially considering US-China trade tensions.”
• He said the government is cautiously optimistic that talks on another mega trade pact, namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, will reach a conclusion in 2019.
• One area of discussion that has yet to reach a conclusion among participating countries is the level of trade liberalisation.

External Link: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/139486