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