Australia-Malaysia FTA Scoping Study: Call for Submissions

Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is inviting public submissions and comment on issues relevant to the Australian scoping study for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and Malaysia.

At the Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee Meeting on 26 July 2004, the Trade Minister Mark Vaile and the Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry, Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, agreed that the two countries would "conduct parallel scoping studies of an FTA between Australia and Malaysia".

The studies are to be completed in the first quarter of 2005. They will provide a basis for the Australian and Malaysian Governments to decide whether to proceed to negotiate a bilateral FTA.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will consult widely on the Australian scoping study, which will assess the economic costs and benefits for Australia of an FTA. It will discuss implications for economic welfare, trade, investment, commercial links and competitiveness. It will also examine the implications for the agricultural, mining, manufacturing and services industries.

The terms of reference for the study and related information can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website.

The deadline for receiving submissions is Friday 15 October 2004. Submissions may be lodged electronically to malaysia.fta@dfat.gov.au or by post at the following address:

• Australia-Malaysia FTA Scoping Study
  Trade and Economic Analysis Branch
  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  BARTON ACT 0221
• Phone: (02) 6261 3220
• Fax: (02) 6261 2696

Media enquiries

DFAT Media Liaison Section: (02) 6261 1555