(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) marks its 58th anniversary this year with a renewed emphasis on its growing partnership with Qatar and the GCC, underlined by $15bn in annual bilateral trade and expanding collaboration in digital, clean energy, and investment sectors, according to the Asean Committee in Doha (ACD).
In a statement commemorating the anniversary, ACD said Qatar has become an increasingly important partner for Asean as economic, political, and investment ties deepen year on year.
The ACD noted that Qatar is now a significant investor across Asean member states, with a portfolio that spans energy, finance, real estate, telecommunications, agribusiness, hospitality, and healthcare. Beyond these traditional sectors, Qatari firms are exploring new opportunities in renewable energy, digital transformation, and electric vehicles – areas that align with Asean's focus on innovation and sustainable growth.
This year, ACD said Asean is moving toward the conclusion of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, a landmark initiative expected to boost trade, accelerate regional economic growth, and enhance digital interoperability. The framework will create greater opportunities for Qatar to leverage its strengths in financial services and advanced digital technologies to participate in Asean's rapidly evolving digital economy.
According to the ACD, investment flows have been reciprocal as Asean member states continue to expand their presence in Qatar over the past year, particularly in fintech and renewable energy. Joint ventures in clean and sustainable technologies illustrate a growing confidence in Qatar's economic resilience and align with the country's national development priorities.
ACD added that political engagement has also been at the forefront of the Asean – Qatar relationship, with high-level exchanges over the past year cementing these ties. In October 2024, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Doha, followed by an official visit from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in April 2025.
In May 2025, His Highness the Amir of Qatar underscored the nation's commitment to the partnership by attending the 2nd Asean – GCC Summit in Malaysia, where he met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
ACD said the 2025 Asean chairmanship, led by Malaysia under the theme“ASEAN: Inclusivity and Sustainability,” has three core priorities: strengthening regional strategic trust, boosting intra-Asean trade and investment through innovation, and promoting inclusive and climate-conscious development. Initiatives such as the Asean Gender Outlook and the upcoming Asean Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam reflect the bloc's determination to integrate sustainability and equity into its growth agenda.
Asean's expanding engagement with Qatar and the GCC, the ACD said, reflects its outward-looking approach in a challenging global landscape of economic fragmentation and geopolitical uncertainty. The 2nd Asean – GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May 2025 produced concrete initiatives across investment, food security, the digital economy, and clean energy. Leaders also endorsed a joint feasibility study for an Asean – GCC Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed commitments under the Asean – GCC Framework of Co-operation (2024–2028), setting the stage for long-term institutionalised collaboration.
With a population of 670 million – 60% of whom are under 35 – and a combined GDP of US$3.8tn in 2023, the ACD noted that Asean is one of the world's fastest-growing regions, projected to become the fourth-largest economy by 2030.
The ACD added that this growth trajectory, coupled with Qatar's economic diversification and strategic investments, positions both sides to benefit from a forward-looking partnership.

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