Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar bin Ibrahim have announced the relaunch of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced EU-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA).
The EU is Malaysia's 4th largest trade partner, with trade in goods worth €45 billion in 2023, and trade in services worth €11 billion in 2022. Deeper trade ties with Malaysia - a major economy in South-East Asia - would boost EU competitiveness and economic security through new business opportunities and stronger supply chains, unlocking new export possibilities and improving access to sources of raw materials.
The EU is Malaysia's 4th largest trade partner, with trade in goods worth €45 billion in 2023, and trade in services worth €11 billion in 2022. Deeper trade ties with Malaysia - a major economy in South-East Asia - would boost EU competitiveness and economic security through new business opportunities and stronger supply chains, unlocking new export possibilities and improving access to sources of raw materials.
The agreement will aim to build the EU-Malaysia partnership on robust commitments on labour rights and climate and environmental protection, while furthering the EU's strategic engagement with the rapidly growing Indo-Pacific region.
The EU and Malaysia are committed to advancing swiftly in the FTA talks and aim to hold a first substantive round of negotiations in the coming months. The EU text proposals will be published after the first negotiating round, in line with the EU's transparency policy. A Sustainability Impact Assessment has also been carried out in support of the negotiations, analysing the possible economic, environmental, human rights and social impacts of the agreement.
