A MAFTA inter-sessional meeting on services was held in Kuala
Lumpur from 20 to 22 November 2006.

An Australian presentation on a "two annex" negative
list approach to scheduling services and investment commitments was
well attended with 50 Malaysian officials participating in
discussions. While engaged in the discussions Malaysia
continues to prefer a World Trade Organization (WTO) General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)-style positive list
approach.

We made some progress on joint draft services text, although our
ability to reach agreement in relation to certain key articles was
constrained by the impasse over preferred scheduling
approaches.

Discussions moved forward constructively on draft text setting
out a framework for the negotiation of mutual recognition
agreements (MRAs) between competent bodies.