Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are currently in the process of determining a suitable date for the commencement of the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), announced the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). This planned negotiation marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between Malaysia and the GCC member countries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this development comes after reports last month indicated that MITI was poised to initiate the first round of FTA negotiations with the GCC countries in December this year. MITI’s statement on the Parliament’s website today highlighted that the move towards finalising the date followed the signing of a joint statement between Malaysia and the GCC on May 26, 2025. This joint statement was subsequently followed by the signing of the terms of reference by the chief negotiators of both entities on July 17, 2025.

The ministry elaborated that the primary focus of the FTA negotiations, agreed upon by both parties, encompasses trade in goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, services, investment, digital trade, technical barriers to trade, along with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These negotiations aim to fortify the Malaysia-GCC strategic partnership, acknowledging their roles as significant trading and investment partners.

MITI’s response to Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (BN-Kalabakan) highlighted the steps being undertaken in the FTA negotiations with the GCC. The ministry assured that to safeguard the interests of the agricultural sector, MSMEs, and national standards, the FTA negotiating team will include representatives from various ministries and relevant agencies.

These representatives will comprise the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, and the Department of Standards Malaysia. Furthermore, as part of the preparatory activities, MITI conducted a consultation session on April 21, 2025. This session involved approximately 200 representatives from industries, business chambers and associations, as well as government ministries and agencies, to deliberate on the upcoming FTA negotiations.