Malaysia to release 'watch-list'

Malaysia to release 'watch-list'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia said yesterday it had compiled
for release its own "watch-list" on countries it perceived
imposed unfair trade practices, in attempts to get them to
dismantle barriers to freer trade-flows.

International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz said
Malaysia would monitor these practices and act to address the
problem either bilaterally or with the World Trade Organization
(WTO).

Rafidah said action could also be taken at the level of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which groups
Malaysia with Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and
Thailand.

"As Malaysian industries become efficient and cost
competitive, they will become targets of creative trade
barriers," Rafidah said in releasing her ministry's 1995 trade
report.

They might also come under undue pressures from lobby groups
that would hinder market access for their products in overseas
markets, she said.

Rafidah said annual reports published by such countries as the
United States and Japan highlighting what they perceived as
barriers had given the impression that Malaysia practiced
numerous unfair trade practices.

Despite all these allegations, Malaysia's imports grew by 32.8
percent in 1994 over the previous year to 155.9 billion ringgit
(US$62.4 billion) placing it as the world's 18th largest
importer.

"On a per capita basis, Malaysia's imports at 7,921 ringgit
($3,100) for 1994 is higher than that of the United States and
Japan," Rafidah said.

She also said Malaysia is not disputing the Washington's
withdrawal of privileges under the generalized system of
preferences (GSP) as in time these would be phased out.

"We, however, feel that the withdrawal of the privileges
should not be done on a broad basis and abruptly," she said,
adding that this is a matter that both Malaysia and ASEAN hope to
address with the United States.