Mustapa in Atlanta for TPP talks but nothing concrete expected

Supporters and individual patients living with cancer protest outside the hotel where the Trans-Pacific Partnership Ministerial Meetings are being held in Atlanta, Georgia, Sept 30, 2015. Protesters claimed that the TPP trade pact that is being negotiated this week should not expand to drug monopolies that deny people life-saving and less expensive alternative drugs. - Reuters

PETALING JAYA: International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed arrived in Atlanta yesterday and went straight to a ministerial meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations that may not see any concrete result this round.

Malaysia’s chief negotiator for TPP Datuk J. Jayasiri and his team from various ministries had been working round the clock the last three days and are now waiting for trade ministers from 12 TPP countries to narrow the gap on the outstanding issues that have bogged down negotiations.

This is the second TPP ministerial meeting this year after the one in Hawaii in July. The trade deal seeks to cut trade barriers and set common standards for 40% of the world economy.

Mustapa said in a statement that his attendance was not to sign the agreement as the final decision would be made by Parliament.

“I am going to Atlanta to ensure the country’s interests are safeguarded in this negotiation.

“It will be signed if the people and Parliament are satisfied that the TPP provides benefits to Malaysia,” he said.

He said Malaysia’s stand on the TPP was based on the country’s Constitution, policies such as bumiputra and small and medium enterprises as well as the rights and interests of the state governments.

In an earlier interview, Mustapa said he was confident some progress had been made on issues of interest to Malaysia including ­government procurement and biologic drugs.