Malaysia looks forward to robust trade after finalising CPTPP, RCEP deals

Malaysia marked major milestones in regional trade in 2022 when it finally concluded two major deals – the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

马来西亚在2022年终于达成了两项重大协议——《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）和《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》（RCEP），标志着区域贸易的重要里程碑。

Malaysia finalised the CPTPP deal on 30th September making it the ninth of the 11 countries to have ratified the agreement while the RCEP came into force on 18th March, making Malaysia the 12th signatory of the trade pact.

马来西亚于9月30日敲定了CPTPP协议，成为11个国家中第九个批准该协议的国家，而RCEP于3月18日生效，使马来西亚成为该贸易协定的第12个签署国。

CPTPP to ignite economic growth

CPTPP将点燃经济增长

After years of detailed deliberations, extensive consultations and careful assessments, the ratification of the CPTPP was finally done on 30th September and came into force on 29th November. 

经过多年的详细审议、广泛磋商和仔细评估，CPTPP终于于9月30日批准，并于11月29日生效。

Malaysia signed the pact in 2018. This agreement has already been ratified and implemented in stages since December 2018 by Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam and Peru.

马来西亚于2018年签署了该协议。自2018年12月以来，澳大利亚、加拿大、日本、墨西哥、新西兰、新加坡、越南和秘鲁已经分阶段批准和实施了该协议。

Based on the findings of the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) carried out by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), CPTPP will definitely elevate Malaysia’s prominence as a global trading economy with total trade expected to increase to US$655.9 billion (US$1=RM4.40) by 2030.

根据国际贸易和工业部（MITI）进行的成本效益分析（CBA）的结果，CPTPP肯定会提升马来西亚作为全球贸易经济体的突出地位，预计到2030年贸易总额将增加到6559亿美元（1美元=4.40令吉）。

According to the CBA analysis published by the ministry on 25th July, 2022, Malaysia is expected to achieve a higher gross domestic product (GDP) of US$56.5 billion (US$1=RM4.40) over the 2021-2030 period.

根据该部于 2022 年 7 月 25 日发布的 CBA 分析，马来西亚预计将在 2021-2030 年期间实现 565 亿美元（1 美元 = 4.40 令吉）的更高国内生产总值 （GDP）。

The CPTPP also offers new market access opportunities for Malaysia, namely Canada, Mexico and Peru, which it has no free trade agreements with.

CPTPP还为马来西亚提供了新的市场准入机会，即加拿大，墨西哥和秘鲁，它没有与之签订自由贸易协定。

MITI said that based on the 2021 data from World Bank, these three new markets collectively represented a population of over 200 million people with a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion – 9.4 times bigger than Malaysia’s economy.

MITI表示，根据世界银行2021年的数据，这三个新市场总共代表人口超过2亿，GDP总额超过3.5万亿美元，是马来西亚经济的9.4倍。

In the meantime, China, Ecuador and Taiwan submitted their applications to be members of the CPTPP last year while the United Kingdom (UK) is currently in the process of the CPTPP “accession negotiation.”

与此同时，中国，厄瓜多尔和台湾去年提交了成为CPTPP成员的申请，而英国（UK）目前正在CPTPP“加入谈判”过程中。

During the 6th Meeting of the CPTPP Commission held in Singapore in early October, then Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali said the pact will add further impetus to Malaysia’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.

在10月初于新加坡举行的CPTPP委员会第六次会议上，当时的国际贸易和工业高级部长Mohamed Azmin Ali表示，该协议将为马来西亚正在进行的经济复苏努力增添进一步动力。

Most industry players have lauded the ratification, but certain groups have called for the post-GE15 new government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to withdraw from the CPTPP, citing that the free trade agreement has “far more costs than benefits”.

大多数业内人士都对批准表示欢迎，但某些团体呼吁由Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim领导的15届大选后新政府退出CPTPP并指出自由贸易协定“成本远远大于收益”。

However, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) said withdrawing from the CPTPP trade agreement would be harmful to Malaysia’s international reputation and trading interests.

然而，民主与经济事务研究所（Ideas）表示，退出CPTPP贸易协定将损害马来西亚的国际声誉和贸易利益。

Its chief executive officer Tricia Yeoh said the country backing out of the trade agreement will not only deprive Malaysia of numerous trade benefits and market access but will also be injurious to its international credibility among foreign investors.

其首席执行官Tricia Yeoh表示，退出贸易协定不仅会剥夺马来西亚的众多贸易利益和市场准入，而且还会损害其在外国投资者中的国际信誉。

“It took about eight years of negotiations before Malaysia finally signed the agreement in 2018, after which it took another four years before Malaysia finally ratified it late this year.”

“马来西亚花了大约八年的谈判才最终在2018年签署该协议，之后又花了四年时间，马来西亚才在今年晚些时候最终批准该协议。

“A U-turn now could possibly scare off foreign investors who above all crave stability in a partner country,” said Yeoh.

“现在掉头可能会吓跑那些首先渴望伙伴国家稳定的外国投资者，”Yeoh说。

The new government has yet to provide a clear directive on its stance on the CPTPP.

新政府尚未就其对CPTPP的立场提供明确的指示。

RCEP: tapping into a 2.2 billion people market

RCEP：进军22亿人口市场

Meanwhile, the RCEP agreement has paved the way for the country to integrate into the world’s largest free trade agreement (FTA) that involves 15 countries, with a total population of more than 2.2 billion.

同时，RCEP协议为该国融入世界上最大的自由贸易协定（FTA）铺平了道路，该协定涉及15个国家，总人口超过22亿。

Anchored on the rules-based multilateral trading system, it will enable Malaysia to enjoy the global trade and investment ecosystem, benefiting from the eventual elimination of around 90 per cent of tariffs among members. 

以基于规则的多边贸易体系为基础，它将使马来西亚能够享受全球贸易和投资生态系统，受益于最终取消成员之间约90%的关税。

MITI said other advantages to be gained include the further liberalisation of trade, encompassing the removal of non-tariff barriers, increased trade facilitation, and the removal of barriers to the services sector. It will also see the enhancement of the business environment through regulations relating to intellectual property protection, government procurement practices and e-commerce.

MITI表示，将获得的其他优势包括贸易进一步自由化，包括消除非关税壁垒，增加贸易便利化以及消除服务业壁垒。它还将通过有关知识产权保护、政府采购做法和电子商务的条例来改善商业环境。

According to MITI, the establishment of the RCEP positions the Asia-Pacific region as the new centre of gravity for global commerce, boosting intraregional trade by nearly US$42 billion (US$1= RM4.40).

据MITI称，RCEP的成立使亚太地区成为全球商业的新重心，使区域内贸易增加了近420亿美元（1美元=4.40令吉）。

“Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia is expected to be the largest beneficiary of the agreement in terms of gains in exports, with a projected US$200 million increase,” it said.

“在东盟国家中，马来西亚预计将成为该协议的最大受益者，预计增加2亿美元，”它说。

The RCEP, which complements the World Trade Organisation’s development agenda, will enhance recognition of the role of small and medium-sized enterprises, including micro-enterprises, in contributing to economic growth, employment and innovation. 

RCEP是对世界贸易组织发展议程的补充，将提高对包括微型企业在内的中小企业在促进经济增长、就业和创新方面的作用的认识。

As the world gradually recovers from the economic repercussions of the pandemic, the RCEP presents a vital tool to re-invigorate businesses and economic activities through a marked reduction in barriers to trade across the region. 

随着世界逐渐从疫情的经济影响中复苏，RCEP通过显著减少整个地区的贸易壁垒，为重振企业和经济活动提供了重要工具。

Deemed the largest FTA in the world, the RCEP was signed among 15 countries on 15th November, 2020, after going through 31 rounds of negotiations over the past eight years.

RCEP被认为是世界上最大的自由贸易协定，在过去八年中经历了31轮谈判后，于2020年11月15日在15个国家之间签署。

The countries were Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, China, South Korea, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

这些国家是马来西亚、文莱、新加坡、越南、柬埔寨、印度尼西亚、老挝、缅甸、菲律宾、泰国、中国、韩国、澳大利亚、日本和新西兰。

Altogether, the countries account for nearly a third of the global population and world gross domestic product (GDP).

这些国家总共占全球人口和世界国内生产总值（GDP）的近三分之一。

Revitalising APEC economies post-pandemic

疫情后重振APEC经济体

During the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok last month, Malaysia encouraged its members to set up a collaborative platform that addresses the financial needs and support of micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) participation in international trade transactions. 

在上个月于曼谷举行的第29届亚太经济合作组织（APEC）经济领导人会议期间，马来西亚鼓励其成员建立一个合作平台，以满足中小微企业（MSMEs）参与国际贸易交易的金融需求和支持。

Chief secretary to the Malaysian government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said MSMEs are the region’s growth engine, noting that they represented an estimated 95 per cent of global businesses and accounted for some 60 per cent of employment across economies at all levels of development.

马来西亚政府首席秘书Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali表示，中小微企业是该地区的增长引擎，并指出它们估计占全球企业的95%，占各个发展水平的经济体就业的60%左右。

However, Mohd Zuki, in his capacity as the Special Representative of the Prime Minister, said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused MSMEs to operate under tight cash flow conditions.

然而，作为首相特别代表的Mohd Zuki表示，COVID-19大流行导致中小微企业在现金流紧张的情况下运作。

“In this regard, Malaysia wishes to underscore the importance of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)’s recommendations to the leaders and encourage APEC economies to consider the establishment of a collaborative platform that brings together public and private sector stakeholders to explore tangible solutions,” said Mohd Zuki at a session at the 29th AELM.

“在这方面，马来西亚希望强调APEC工商咨询理事会（ABAC）对领导人的建议的重要性，并鼓励APEC经济体考虑建立一个合作平台，将公共和私营部门的利益相关者聚集在一起，探索切实的解决方案，”Mohd Zuki在第29届AELM的一次会议上说。

He added that to achieve a dynamic and interconnected regional economy as envisioned by APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, a strong foundation for growth, ably supported by competitive economic players, including and particularly MSMEs, is vital. 

他补充说，要实现APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040所设想的充满活力和相互联系的区域经济，在竞争性经济参与者（包括特别是中小微企业）的有力支持下，为增长奠定坚实的基础至关重要。

Under the chairmanship of Thailand and guided by the theme “Open. Connect. Balance”, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the group’s first in-person summit in four years, was held from 14th-19th November at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.

在泰国担任主席期间，以“开放.连接。平衡“，APEC经济领导人周，该集团四年来的首次面对面峰会，于11月14日至19日在曼谷诗丽吉王后国家会议中心举行。

The 2019 meeting was cancelled due to the domestic situation in the host country Chile, and the meetings in 2020 and 2021 were held virtually.

由于东道国智利的国内局势，2019年的会议被取消，2020年和2021年的会议以虚拟方式举行。

The CPTPP, if the government decides not to do a U-turn, is projected to complement the gains provided for by the RCEP, and both agreements are highly regarded with regard to benefiting the country and the people.

如果政府决定不掉头，CPTPP预计将补充RCEP提供的收益，并且这两项协议在造福国家和人民方面都受到高度重视。

Both pacts would invigorate trade activities and economic growth, and at the same time provide low-hanging fruits for a Malaysian economy pummelled by the pandemic in the last two years.

这两项协议都将刺激贸易活动和经济增长，同时为过去两年遭受疫情打击的马来西亚经济提供唾手可得的成果。

The two FTAs would likely create a trade diversion with more countries shifting their resources to the Asia-Pacific region, including Malaysia, amid sluggish global economic growth and various headwinds expected next year. 

这两项自由贸易协定可能会造成贸易转移，因为更多国家将资源转移到包括马来西亚在内的亚太地区，因为全球经济增长缓慢，预计明年将面临各种不利因素。