Malaysia able to execute AEC, TPPA at same time: Mustapa

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed

KUALA LUMPUR: Taking on multiple tasks may be a strain on resources, but it can be done, said International Trade and Industry (Miti) minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. 

“Yes, Malaysia is doing many things in parallel, such as the Asean Economic Community (AEC) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), but doesn’t mean we have to put a stop to anything. That’s the nature of the Government.

“It’s a pressure on resources but we’ve managed. Our approach is to do things concurrently and we’ve done it well,” he said at a press conference following the launch of the Asean Pathfinder clinic today.

On Monday – more than five years after negotiations started – officials from Malaysia and 11 other countries have come up with a pact that is likely to be debated vigorously within each of these countries before the governments sign it.

Meanwhile, the AEC will come into force by the end of this year. Mustapa emphasised that the TPPA is yet to be a done deal.

“The TPPA is not resolved yet. There are many more things to be done.”

Meanwhile, the inaugural Asean Pathfinder clinic aims help Malaysian-bound companies tackle the challenges of regional integration.

The Asean Pathfinder project, which was recommended by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), will be selecting 100 Pathfinder companies from amongst 10 Asean members that will be taken through a structured and direct government-to-government problem-solving process at each Asean destination.