KUCHING: A Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been discussed during an engagement session between the Sarawak government and Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
The latter’s secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali yesterday paid Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg a courtesy call.
Several topics were highlighted, according to Lokman, including the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) study implemented by MITI and would be presented at a Cabinet meeting soon.
“We also discussed the benefits, in addition to providing Abang Johari with the most recent input on various subjects such as the interests of the states that have been raised during previous meetings with stakeholders that MITI conducted.
“This includes the role of the state government, matters related to land, Bumiputera interests, labour issues and so on,” he told the media after the courtesy call.
He also stated that Abang Johari had taken note of the matter and the state government would study the text to be presented by MITI.
Apart from Sarawak, MITI had previously conducted engagement sessions and provided information related to CPTPP to other state governments, including Johor, Pahang, Penang and Sabah.
For the record, the CPTPP was signed on March 8, 2018 by 11 member countries, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore as well as Vietnam.
The agreement covers current trade issues, including market access for trade in goods and services, intellectual property, telecommunications, environment and competition policy.
Also present was Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
