KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The Lynas Advanced Materials Plant, coming
up in Gebeng, Kuantan, was not discussed during the free trade agreement (FTA)
negotiations between Australia and Malaysia.
"The Lynas project is not covered by the FTA. There is no proposal for the
Lynas project or specfic projects to be covered by the free trade agreement,"
said Australian Trade and Competitiveness Minister Dr Craig Emerson.
"We have had discussions on the Lynas project but not in the context of the
Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA)," he told a press conference
after the signing of the agreement here today.
Emerson signed on behalf of his government while Malaysia was represented by
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.
He said the FTAs was usually not focused on specific projects but on
procedures, practices and the purpose of opening up market access.
The trade minister added that he was aware Malaysia''s Parliamentary Select
Committee on Lynas was looking into the issue and that there were several more
processes for the government to complete.
-- BERNAMA
MSL MSL VMD