National Business Review (New Zealand) | 6-Sep-2006
Malaysian free trade talks bogged down
New Zealand’s free trade talks with Malaysia have become bogged down over differences about how much access should be given to service industries.
Both countries had expected to reach a deal earlier this year but cannot agree on issues around investment and services.
The Trade Negotiations Minister, Phil Goff, says New Zealand wants to negotiate good access for service industries to do business in both countries but Malaysia is reluctant to do so.
He says officials are continuing to meet informally and there is still hope a deal might be done by the end of the year.