Malaysia should be part of TPPA to grow its share in global trade

Malaysia should be part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) as it needs to grow its share in global trade.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, said there was a need to find ways that were acceptable to all participating countries in the TPPA negotiations.

"We know the areas that are important to us. We got our mandate and have given the mandate to our negotiators.

"It's crucial for Malaysia to be early on the negotiating table to be able to shape and influence (the outcome) of the talks," he said at the Economic Transformation Programme mid-year briefing here Thursday.

Idris said the TPPA could open up opportunties for Malaysian palm oil products to penetrate the US market.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of Ministry of Finance, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, said if the terms of the TPPA were not palatable, then Malaysia would not sign the agreement.

"We will take into account the interests of the nation," he said.