{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1164061,
        "msgid": "japan-malaysia-begin-new-fta-talks-1447893297",
        "date": "2005-05-18 00:00:00",
        "title": "Japan, Malaysia begin new FTA talks",
        "author": null,
        "source": "AP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Japan, Malaysia begin new FTA talks Sean Yoong, Associated Press\/Putrajaya, Malaysia Japan and Malaysia began a new round of negotiations on Tuesday to narrow differences in a planned free trade agreement which they hope to draft before the Malaysian prime minister's visit to Tokyo this month.",
        "content": "<p>Japan, Malaysia begin new FTA talks<\/p>\n<p>Sean Yoong, Associated Press\/Putrajaya, Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>Japan and Malaysia began a new round of negotiations on Tuesday<br>\nto narrow differences in a planned free trade agreement which<br>\nthey hope to draft before the Malaysian prime minister's visit to<br>\nTokyo this month.<\/p>\n<p>Since launching the FTA talks in January last year, the two<br>\ncountries have reached a basic accord on agricultural and marine<br>\nproducts but failed to reach a consensus on industrial products,<br>\nespecially the sensitive auto sector and the steel industry.<\/p>\n<p>Japanese and Malaysian officials did not speak to reporters at<br>\nthe start of the two-day talks.<\/p>\n<p>However, in Tokyo, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister<br>\nShoichi Nakagawa told a news conference on Tuesday that the<br>\n\"talks have almost reached a conclusion ... but we face<br>\ndifficulties in the final phase,\" according to Japan's Kyodo news<br>\nagency.<\/p>\n<p>\"There has been a growing momentum between the two countries<br>\nto strike an accord by the end of this month. I don't want to<br>\nlose this chance,\" he was quoted as saying, adding that he will<br>\nvisit Malaysia if necessary to push the talks to a conclusion.<\/p>\n<p>The two countries hope to prepare a basic agreement by May 25,<br>\nwhen Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visits Japan.<br>\nThey are aiming to formally sign the FTA in December.<\/p>\n<p>Kyodo said one of the sticking points is Malaysia's tentative<br>\npledge to fully eliminate tariffs on imported vehicles by 2015.<br>\nJapan wants an earlier deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Malaysia imposes high import and excise duties on imported<br>\ncars to protect its national Proton car from competition. Proton<br>\nhas a 67 percent market share in Malaysia, Southeast Asia's<br>\nbiggest passenger car market. Tariffs have recently been lowered<br>\nfor cars produced in Southeast Asian countries but other<br>\ncountries still face high barriers.<\/p>\n<p>Kyodo said Japan also wants Malaysia to abolish tariffs on<br>\nsteel products used for vehicles and household appliances. It<br>\nquoted unidentified Japanese government sources as saying that<br>\nMalaysia is considering an immediate removal of tariffs for some<br>\ncar models that do not compete with Proton and another local<br>\ncompany, Perodua.<\/p>\n<p>The two countries are also expected to discuss the<br>\nliberalization of investment and services trade during the talks,<br>\nKyodo said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-malaysia-begin-new-fta-talks-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}