
Demonstrators hold up placards during a protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), outside the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur on August 23, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysia risks being left behind by other countries such as Vietnam if it were to reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said Malaysia risked losing its attraction as a choice investment destination of manufacturers and service providers for the TPP market if it were to stay out of the trade deal.
“Malaysia will face more intense competition from Vietnam and Singapore in wooing foreign investments if we do not join TPP.
“If Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines were to join TPP later, Malaysia will lag further behind.
“We will also lose the first-mover opportunity, while local and foreign companies operating in Malaysia might scale down their operations.” he said at a briefing on the TPP for civil servants and the business community in Kuching, Sarawak, today. Read more