KUALA LUMPUR: The review and upgrade of negotiations of free trade agreements (FTAs) are a critical strategy to ensure that Malaysia's trade framework remains relevant in driving the nation's economic and socio-economic agenda. The ministry said Malaysia has implemented a total of 17 FTAs to date. Of these, four FTAs have had their upgrade negotiations concluded and have been signed, namely the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in October 2025, the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement in October 2025 (second review), the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in August 2023, and the Malaysia-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement signed in September 2022. Three FTAs are currently under review and undergoing upgrade negotiations, namely the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), and the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA). At the same time, five FTAs are at the planning or preliminary study stage for review, namely the Malaysia–Pakistan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Source: New Strait Times February 04, 2026 15:48 UTC