Document: A Strategic Approach to Advancing ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Relations

Time: 5/2025

Author: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

In the context where both ASEAN and the GCC play important roles in global value chains, further strengthening cooperation between the two regions would generate mutual benefits for both ASEAN and the GCC. At present, the GCC as a whole, as well as its individual member states, have not yet established an official dialogue partnership with ASEAN. Meanwhile, the economic structures of ASEAN and the GCC are complementary, with ASEAN possessing strengths in manufacturing and the GCC having comparative advantages in natural resources. Accordingly, at the request of the ASEAN Secretariat and with the agreement of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) conducted a study to put forward recommendations aimed at further strengthening economic cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC. (May 2025)

The English soft copy of the document is attached here:

A Strategic Approach to Advancing ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Relations