Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Saturday that Japan's participation in talks for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement should not slow down the overall negotiations but rather help open up the region's markets.
Najib told journalists after a meeting earlier Saturday of leaders from the nine countries currently involved in TPP negotiations that Japan's decision to take part in the talks will have a positive impact, but it should not slow down the conclusion of the negotiations.
Najib said the leaders of the nine countries including Malaysia have agreed at their summit to work to conclude the TPP talks by July next year.