Japan Proposes Studying Free Trade Pact With Brunei

Tokyo - Japanese Senior Vice Foreign Minister Tetsuro Yano said Thursday he proposed last week that Japan and Brunei start looking into the possibility of reaching a free trade agreement during a visit to the country, Kyodo News reported.

Yano made the proposal during a meeting with Brunei's Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Haji Abdul Rahman Taib on Jan. 14, according to a ministry official.

Yano said at a regular press conference his proposal was received favorably and that the two countries are expected to start considering when to set up a working team in order to discuss an FTA.

Japan has already signed an FTA with Singapore, and is considering a possible FTA with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Mexico and South Korea. Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia have also expressed willingness to look into the possibility of reaching an FTA with Japan.

Brudirect.com