Japan, Malaysia resume trade talks

Japan, Malaysia resume trade talks

TOKYO: Japan and Malaysia began a fourth round of talks on a free
trade agreement (FTA) here on Monday, 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
liberalized 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. -- AFP