RENEGOTIATIONS on the free trade agreements (FTAs) between Malaysia and three other countries - the US, Australia and New Zealand - will begin in the middle of next month.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamad said his ministry will hold separate meetings with the three countries to discuss the direction and actual picture to ensure that the process to realise the FTAs is achieved.

"I will look again at Malaysia's position and stand regarding the FTAs and will inform the Cabinet on the matter for discussion.

"I'm also waiting for the mandate from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak," he told reporters after a meeting with agencies under the ministry in Kota Baru yesterday.

Mustapa was commenting on the statement by US Ambassador to Malaysia, James R. Keith, last Thursday that Malaysia was now on the right track to proceeding with a new round of negotiations on the FTA with the US, after the implementation of the liberalisation policy announced by the Malaysian government.

Keith said that President Barack Obama's administration had been reviewing all aspects of the agreement and would speed up the new round of talks with Malaysia.

The last round on July 23 last year was stalled after the failure to reach a compromise on the rules for importing agricultural produce. - Bernama