The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) released a new 12-pages report urging the
Malaysian Parliament and the public to support and sign the Trans Pacific
Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Good call. Why? Economic and governance considerations.
1. The TPPA will bring economic benefits and serve
Malaysia’s best interests as shown by the two studies commissioned by MITI, one
of which estimates Malaysian gross domestic product (GDP) gains of USD2327
billion in 2027 in a baseline scenario, an increase in economic activity which
will sustain 12 million new jobs by 2027. Most recently, a World Bank study
predicted that Malaysia’s economy would swell by 8% and exports would rise by
20% as a result of the agreement, with Malaysian exporters having an advantage
over regional competitors not part of the bloc.
2. The TPPA will improve governance problems, in
particular:
1. strengthen Malaysia’s anticorruption measures
2. help improve the governance of Government Linked Companies
(GLCs)
3. encourage the government to be more accountable and
predictable
4. help make the procurement system more transparent and accountable.
The paper starts with explaining the importance of
economic freedom and how the TPPA will help improve it. Then it discussed those four points above to improve governance system of MY. The conclusion is pragmatic in saying that
While the TPPA may
not be an ideal agreement, the sociopolitical benefits outweigh the
shortcomings. The agreement is a step in the right direction in terms of
economic and sociopolitical reform and to jumpstart the currently stalled
reform in the country.
It is in Malaysia’s
best interest to sign and ratify the TPPA. If it fails to do so, we will miss a
valuable opportunity to
incorporate greater transparency and good governance measures into our
political and economic systems.
Good job, Wan and team.
-----------
See also:
Free Trade 58, TPP and its rabid critics, December 10, 2015
Free Trade 59, TPP membership expansion in SE Asia, January 16, 2016
Free Trade 61, Unilateral liberalization in Pakistan, January 29, 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment