Malaysia's trade minister warned Tuesday that the country will lag behind Vietnam if it does not accede to the Trans-Pacific Partnership as parliament began a session to debate and vote on the controversial free trade pact. "Thirty years ago, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan were at the same level of development. Today, the other three are developed nations while Malaysia is still stuck in the middle-income trap," International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said in a speech while tabling a motion to open the TPP for debate in the lower house of parliament.

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Topics: FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) MEGA-REGIONAL AGREEMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Regions: KOREA, REP. MALAYSIA SINGAPORE CHINESE TAIPEI VIETNAM ASIA-PACIFIC

Authors: BANGKOK POST