Research & Commentary Results

Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Relations: Roots, Dimensions, and Prospects

Malaysia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has long been amicable and fruitful. Indeed, Malaysian-Saudi relations have deeper historical roots than are commonly recognized. During the contemporary period, the religio-cultural, economic, and other aspects of the bilateral relationship have expanded. In fact, Malaysian-Saudi relations are complex, multifaceted, and have significant potential for further development.

Malaysia and the GCC Countries: Fertile Ground for Further Expansion of the Takaful Industry

The Takaful industry has expanded rapidly in recent years.[1] In 2011, the industry recorded 19% higher growth than in the previous year. Takaful is generally regarded as a profitable product with ample growth potential. With strong support from industry players, government institutions and increasing awareness among customers, the Takaful industry is expected to develop further in the coming years.

Asia-Gulf Economic Relations in the 21st Century: The Local to Global Transformation

Asia constitutes the hub of the transformation of global economic power today. The Gulf, itself part of Asia, is of increasing importance in this transformation. This book documents the growing interactions between the economies of the Gulf states and those of the rest of Asia. These relationships are critical to how the world economy develops over the next decade, and how economic (and perhaps strategic) power is distributed.

Malaysia: A Base for the Growing Asia-Middle East Market?

With the shift in the direction of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ trade from the West to Asia and the emphasis on the “Islamic connection” by Malaysia and many of its Middle Eastern counterparts, Malaysia-GCC economic cooperation appears to be gaining momentum. Malaysia’s strategic location at the center of Southeast Asia and the need for as well as the apparent determination of Malaysia and the GCC countries to diversify their export markets could provide the impetus for this partnership to flourish.

Interview with Indian Ambassador (ret.) Ranjit Gupta: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ― The Second Posting (1976-1978)

Soon after arriving, I was surprised to find out from long-serving local staff at the Embassy and a few Indians who had resided in Saudi Arabia for more than three decades that I was the first non-Muslim Foreign Service Officer to serve in the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Gulf Research Council April 2013 Gulf-Asia Bulletin

The GRC’s April 2013 Gulf-Asia Bulletin, edited by Noriko Suzuki, contains the following short pieces:

On OSIPP-GRC Academic Cooperation by Toshiya Hoshino |04
Japan-Gulf Relations in the Wider Gulf-Asia Context by Makio Yamada |06
Japan and the Gulf: Balanced Business Relationship, and Thereafter by Yoshio Minagi |10
A General History of Kuwait-Japan Economic Relations from the 1950s to the 1970s by Takumi Sato |14

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD): Progress and Potential

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue’s (ACD) future looks promising. The 11-year-old ACD has taken important steps in becoming a relevant, constructive pan-Asian body with a forward-looking agenda, concrete plans and projects underway, and some noteworthy accomplishments.

Gulf Arab Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): ASEAN Targets of Opportunity

Although China and India have been new favorable destinations for Arab investors, Southeast Asian countries offer distinctive and profitable investment markets, featuring high demand and relatively low labor costs. In recent years, investments from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have surged.