World Investment Forum discusses ASEAN experience in attracting investment, strengthening cooperation with GCC

On the sidelines of the 9th World Investment Forum in Doha, a panel discussion titled "The ASEAN Dialogue: Regional Integration and Investment Nexus" examined the synergies between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in fostering economic cooperation and investment.

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, underscored the significance of ASEAN, a bloc with a population of 700 million, a GDP of approximately USD 4 trillion, and attracting over USD 240 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025. He emphasized the importance of bilateral investment relations, particularly highlighting Gulf sovereign wealth funds' investments in ASEAN.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi pointed out that the world economy is undergoing transformative changes due to geopolitical shifts, supply chain adjustments, and evolving investment trends. He stressed that regional integration aims to create a resilient, competitive, and investor-friendly environment beyond merely expanding markets.

Albudaiwi highlighted the Gulf's role as a global hub for trade, investment, energy, and logistics, with a combined GDP of roughly USD 2.4 trillion and merchandise trade valued at nearly USD 1.8 trillion.

The GCC and ASEAN, through their summits in Riyadh (2023) and Kuala Lumpur (2025), have identified priorities for future collaboration, including advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, clean energy, logistics, and investment facilitation. They also discussed advancing a free trade agreement between the two regions to unlock opportunities for their peoples.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Thai Vice Minister for Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr echoed the potential for collaboration, focusing on strategic sectors like energy, critical minerals, and food security, digital and knowledge-based industries, sustainable development, and global investment partnerships. They emphasized the role of institutional integration, regulatory certainty, and transparency in attracting foreign direct investment.

The ASEAN community, comprising 11 member states with a market of nearly 700 million people and a GDP exceeding USD 4 trillion, saw foreign direct investment inflows of USD 246 billion in 2025, representing 15 percent of global FDI flows. Its share of global GDP stood at 3.6 percent, and global trade share at 9 percent.