Malaysia and the WTO

Overview

Malaysia is a founding Member of the WTO by virtue of its membership in the GATT since 1957 and participation in the Uruguay Round. Through active participations in WTO negotiations, Malaysia continues to ensure that trade regulations and trade measures that are negotiated are fair and provide the flexibility for Malaysia to continue its development policy.

As a trading nation, membership in the WTO has contributed to Malaysia's economic growth. The lowering of the trade barriers in the export markets and increased market opportunities has allowed Malaysia's exports to grow. One of the major benefits enjoyed by Malaysia is the non-discriminatory treatment of Malaysian products in the markets of WTO Members. Any concessions granted by a Member to any other Member will also be accorded to Malaysia.

National Consultations

In dealing with all matters in the WTO including the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), the Government has been holding regular consultations amongst the Ministries, Government Agencies, academicians, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is the focal point in consolidating and streamlining Malaysia's positions on international trade and investment in the various fora such as the WTO, UNCTAD, ASEAN, OIC, APEC and FTAs.

Consultations with the Ministries, Government Agencies, private sector, academia and other bodies dealing with international trade issues will continue to be undertaken by the various working groups. Eleven (11) Working Groups have been established to obtain views and inputs on WTO issues:

• Working Group on Agriculture;

• Working Group on Services;

• Working Group on Non-Agriculture Market Access (NAMA);

• Working Group on Trade and Environment;

• Working Group on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs);

• Working Group on WTO Rules;

• Working Group on Investment;

• Working Group on Competition Policy;

• Working Group on Government Procurement;

• Working Group on Trade Facilitation; and

• Working Group on E-Commerce.