GCC and Malaysia start free trade agreement negotiations

Deal represents 'strategic platform to recalibrate and enhance' ties, Malaysian minister says

The Asean logo is displayed in Kuala Lumpur. Total trade between Malaysia and the Gulf reached $22.3 billion last year. Reuters

The Gulf Co-operation Council and Malaysia have started negotiations for a free trade agreement as the regions seek to boost bilateral investment.

A joint statement signalling the start of negotiations was signed on the sidelines of the summit between Gulf states and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, the GCC said in a statement.

Talks will cover a range of sectors of mutual interest and the potential agreement is set to cover a number of economic aspects, the statement added.

The move represents a consolidation of the partnership between the two sides, said Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.

The joint statement to begin FTA negotiations was signed on the sidelines of the summit between Gulf states and Asean, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: GCC

Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asean. Last year, total trade between Malaysia and the Gulf reached $22.3 billion, with key exports including electronic products, jewellery, petroleum products, palm oil and palm oil-based products, and processed food, according to Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

"The FTA aims to expand this further by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, promoting business mobility, and enhancing regulatory co-operation," the ministry said in a separate statement on Monday.

The FTA would represent "a strategic platform to recalibrate and enhance our bilateral relationship", said Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. “Malaysia considers the Gulf Co-operation Council to be one of its most valued trade partners in West Asia."

Several major global economies are also pursuing trade deals with the Gulf region.

The UK is in talks with the GCC over an FTA, with indications that it could be signed soon. This month, after the UK secured a deal with Europe, as well as announcing an agreement with the US to cut tariffs, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that the Gulf would be the “next deal” as the government looks to forge post-Brexit trade ties.

Meanwhile, an FTA between the Gulf economies and Turkey is expected to create a $2.4 trillion trade opportunity.