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Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement News

May 2021

To assist business, a schedule is now available showing Malaysia's implementation of its MAFTA tariff commitments in the latest version of the Harmonized System, HS 2012.

June 2021

First meeting of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement Joint Commission

Call for submissions on Malaysia-Australia FTA

April 2013

To assist business, a schedule is now available showing Malaysia's implementation of its MAFTA tariff commitments in the latest version of the Harmonized System, HS 2012.

For more information see Annex 1 under the Official Documents Tab

January 2013

The Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) entered into force on 1 January 2013.

December 2012

Australia and Malaysia exchanged written confirmation that each had completed its domestic procedures to allow MAFTA to enter into force on 1 January 2013.

October 2012

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) released its report on the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement on 31 October 2012. JSCOT Report 130 recommended that binding treaty action be taken.

August 2012

The text of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) was tabled in Parliament on 14 August 2012 and was considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) in accordance with Australia's domestic approval processes.

May 2012

Former Minister for Trade, Craig Emerson, and Malaysia's Minister for Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed, signed the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) in Kuala Lumpur on 22 May 2012.
MAFTA negotiations were finalised on 30 March 2012, consistent with a commitment by former Prime Minister Gillard and Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib to conclude within 12 months of their March 2011 meeting in Canberra.

Dr Emerson exchanging Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement side-letters with Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed.22 May 2012
Then Minister for Trade Dr Craig Emerson exchanges MAFTA side-letters with Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, 22 May 2012.

March 2011

During a joint press conference with Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib in Canberra, former Prime Minister Gillard committed to finalising the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

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