Doha:A panel discussion at the 9th World Investment Forum in Doha delved into the economic collaboration prospects between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a focus on ASEAN's investment attraction experience.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session titled "The ASEAN Dialogue Regional Integration and Investment Nexus" analyzed the factors driving ASEAN's investment success and resilience. It also identified potential regional and inter-regional partnerships, including those with the Gulf region, to foster sustainable growth and connectivity.
During the discussion, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, emphasized ASEAN's significance to Qatar and the GCC, citing the bloc's 700 million population, USD 4 trillion GDP, and USD 240 billion FDI inflows in 2025. He highlighted the importance of investment relations between the blocs and the role of Gulf sovereign wealth funds in ASEAN.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi noted the global economy's transformation due to geopolitical shifts, stressing that regional integration enhances market resilience, competitiveness, and attractiveness. He outlined the GCC's economic integration through a customs union and common market, which has positioned the Gulf as a global trade, investment, energy, and logistics hub.
Albudaiwi also discussed the complementary strengths of the Gulf and ASEAN regions, with the Gulf's investment capabilities and ASEAN's manufacturing networks. He proposed priorities for future cooperation, including advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, clean energy, and a potential free trade agreement between the GCC and ASEAN.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Thailand's Vice Minister for Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr reiterated the potential for cooperation, highlighting priorities such as strategic sector investment, digital industry advancement, and sustainable development. The dialogue's concept paper noted ASEAN's 11 member states, 700 million population, and USD 4 trillion GDP, as well as record-high FDI inflows of USD 246 billion in 2025.