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"Putting aside the areas we cannot touch or agree upon (such as government procurement), there are many other areas that make sense for us to negotiate and come to a satisfactory resolution," she said.
<P>She cited the case of the US wanting Malaysia to have a special
unit in the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for enforcement of intellectual
property rights.</P><P>"How can we say no to that? We know people come here
because we are able to protect their intellectual property rights," she said."
So, (if) we have a special enforcement unit, people will come here with their
latest patents and processes.</P><P>"Any sensible government will say yes
(to that)."</P><P>Rafidah was speaking to reporters after Yang di-Pertuan
Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin’s opening address at the first meeting of the
fourth term of the 11th Parliament at Dewan Rakyat here.</P><P>"If they want
us to shorten the timeframe for some procedures in making certain decisions, why
not look at it?" she said.</P><P>Rafidah said some of the requests, which
came from the US will in fact help to improve the country’s delivery system and
should be accepted in totality.</P><P>"(Indirectly), Malaysia makes it known
to the world that we are improving the delivery system," she added.</P><P>Rafidah
said the FTA negotiations also include possible joint technical and economic collaboration,
which will benefit Malaysia in a big way.</P><P>However, for issues like the unfettered
opening of the financial sector, she said Malaysia will stick to the guidelines
for market liberalisation that are already included Malaysia’s Financial Market
Masterplan.</P><P>"We will not go beyond that," she stressed.</P><P>Rafidah
said US Trade Representatives Susan Schwab has told her that the FTA negotiations
can go on even after the US’ Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) expires on July 1.</P><P>The
talks will carry on until agreement is reached, and at that time, Washington may
need a fresh TPA from Congress to implement, she added. — BERNAMA</P><P><I>Source:
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=252082</I>
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