Economic cooperation between the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman) and major Asian countries (such as South Korea, China, Japan, and India) has been primarily centered around energy supply chains. With the rise in international oil prices after the oil shock, a large-scale infrastructure construction market has also developed, leading to active collaboration in infrastructure projects between two regions. However, since the early 2010s, the era of low oil prices has prompted a significant push for economic diversification within the Gulf region, resulting in the announcement of national development strategies such as Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Centennial 2071, and Qatar National Vision 2030.

Given the lack of industrial foundations outside the energy sector, Gulf countries have recognized that external collaboration is essential for fostering manufacturing industries. They have been strengthening ties with major Asian countries to adopt industrial development models and to adopt new technology. Particularly after President Obama’s inauguration, Washington shifted its foreign strategy focus from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific, reducing its involvement in conflicts in the Middle East. Consequently, Gulf countries have expanded cooperation with Asia to lower their dependence on economic collaboration with the U.S. and Europe. This shift has led to the emergence of policies prioritizing Asia, indicating that the relationship between the Gulf and Asia is expected to deepen further.

This study begins with the question of whether there is a policy prioritizing Asia in the Gulf region, in light of the geopolitical changes surrounding the Gulf and the shifts in the foreign cooperation strategies of Gulf countries. It aims to explore the driving factors behind the cooperation between major Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE) and major Asian countries (South Korea, China, Japan, India), as well as to examine whether there are differences in their cooperation strategies. By addressing these questions, the study seeks to elucidate the implications for South Korea’s cooperation with the Gulf region. The research focuses on energy and advanced industries, centering on the aforementioned major Gulf and Asian countries.

Chapter 2 examines the background behind the emergence of the concept of the “Asia-centric strategy of the Gulf” and the trends in Gulf-Asia cooperation. The concept of an Asia-centric strategy among Gulf countries has arisen due to three main factors: 1) the necessity for Gulf countries to diversify their economies away from being oil-dependent, 2) the need to strengthen partnerships with major Asian countries (South Korea, China, Japan, India) that have achieved rapid industrial development, and 3) the rise of China and Russia amid changes in the geopolitical landscape surrounding the Middle East. As these internal and external environmental changes have been recognized, cooperation between the Gulf region and Asia has expanded. Notably, since the 2010s, Saudi Arabia has increased its diplomatic cooperation with Asia, moving toward a regional balance away from a one-sided diplomatic focus on the U.S. and Europe. In terms of economic cooperation, trade volumes between the Gulf and Asia, particularly with China, have increased, and investments in Asia led by sovereign wealth funds have been on the rise.

This study suggests that rather than explicitly advocating for an Asia-centric policy, Gulf countries have strengthened economic cooperation with Asian countries that have developed industries aligned with their own industrial needs (particularly in energy, advanced industries, and technology), resulting in a perception of prioritizing Asia. Additionally, while it is true that the share of cooperation with Asia has increased in the political and diplomatic context, it can be argued that a diplomatic strategy closer to an Asia-balancing policy has emerged as regional balance has been sought.

Chapter 3 analyzes the demand for Gulf-Asia cooperation. The Gulf region has traditionally been the most developed area for the energy industry, and since major Asian countries are key energy buyers from the Gulf, it is crucial for Gulf countries to maintain partnerships with Asian nations to secure stable exports of oil and natural gas. However, recent developments, such as new demands arising in the energy sector—like the development of gas fields, diversification of energy production through an increase in renewable energy, and the promotion of the petrochemical industry—have led to an increased demand for cooperation between Gulf countries and Asia. Moreover, countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman are leveraging their favorable hydrogen production sites to invest in hydrogen development, aiming to secure stable export markets with Asian nations that have high demand for hydrogen.

From the perspective of advanced technology and industry, Gulf countries have announced strategies to foster industries such as AI, digital transformation, and advanced mobility as part of their economic diversification efforts. Notably, the UAE is leading in the AI sector within the Gulf region, and the Saudi government has committed to significant investments in AI, resulting in competition between Saudi Arabia and the UAE for leadership in this field. In this process, Gulf countries are strengthening cooperation with China, which has advanced AI and digital industries, fostering collaborations not only in industry but also between academia and research institutions. Additionally, with the expansion of smart city construction in the Gulf region, particularly around Saudi Arabia’s NEOM City, there has been a significant increase in demand for digital and mobility industries from Asia. Cooperation demand with South Korea is also rising, leading to discussions about the entry of South Korean digital platform companies into the Gulf region. In the aerospace sector, all six Gulf countries are investing in space, with ongoing efforts to collaborate on technology and space launch vehicles, particularly with four Asian nations.

Chapter 4 focuses on the cooperation demand and distinctiveness of major Asian countries in relation to the Gulf. In terms of cooperation methods, China relies on state-owned enterprises, Japan utilizes trading companies, and India builds industrial networks centered around its diaspora in the Gulf region. Additionally, the entry of startups is actively progressing, particularly in areas like UAE’s Masdar City, where efforts to attract startups are robust. This has led to an increase in demand from Chinese, Japanese, and Indian startups, aligning the interests of both regions. In Japan’s case, there are many areas of ongoing medium- to long-term cooperation, such as education, technical support, and exchanges, which have contributed to a high level of recognition for Japan within the Gulf region, often accompanied by academic collaboration.

In the energy sector, all four countries, including South Korea, have identified a demand for crude oil imports and infrastructure cooperation. However, while South Korea primarily secures infrastructure construction contracts focused on EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), China is engaged in construction projects that integrate its own equipment procurement and exports of intermediate goods. India is actively utilizing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a platform for its initiatives. In the nuclear power sector, South Korea stands out due to the successful completion and operation of four Barakah nuclear power plants in the UAE, showcasing its competitiveness in the Gulf region. In contrast, China is participating in bids for Saudi nuclear power construction. Accordingly, the cooperation between major Asian countries and the Gulf exhibits distinct characteristics by country. China is engaging in simultaneous hardware and software collaboration, with government- led initiatives predominating and leading to large-scale industrial cooperation. This has resulted in active participation of Chinese state-owned enterprises in the Gulf. China is attempting to diversify its global supply chains to avoid technological competition with the U.S., which has led to an increase in the entry of Chinese high-tech companies into the Gulf.

Japan also sees active intergovernmental cooperation, but its trading companies are playing a crucial role in major industrial sectors, while friendship associations are fostering local networks in Gulf countries. Additionally, Japanese companies primarily enter the UAE, using it as a base to expand into other Gulf nations.

Meanwhile, both China and Japan are maintaining long-term corporate collaborations through joint ventures, which allow them to minimize investment risks while securing operational control of locally established joint enterprises. India is strengthening its economic cooperation with the Gulf region through policies like Look West and Neighborhood Policy, forming networks centered around the Indian diaspora through Indian workers and businesses in the Gulf.

Chapter 5 provides implications for South Korea based on the preceding content. First, there is a need for key entities to lead local cooperation networking in the Gulf, and this study emphasizes the importance of industry associations and KOTRA (Korea Trade- Investment Promotion Agency). Second, the demand for expanded technological cooperation is clearly evident in the Gulf region. To successfully enter this market, South Korean companies should enhance technological cooperation through various channels to foster a skilled workforce that can be employed locally.

Third, considering South Korea’s position in the Gulf region, there is a need for strategic selection and concentration in terms of sectors and countries. Fourth, taking into account that China and Japan are forming value chains and attempting vertical integration by sector, it is necessary to increase the proportion of O&M (Operations and Maintenance) contracts when securing infrastructure projects.

Finally, the technological supremacy competition between the U.S. and China is also unfolding in the Gulf, prompting Gulf countries to diversify their cooperation away from a sole focus on China. South Korea should seize the opportunities arising from this shift. This study proposes several policy recommendations, including the expansion of multilateral cooperation such as Korea-China-Japan + Gulf collaboration, investments to strengthen local networks, enhanced cooperation in joint research and workforce training, activation of entry into special economic zones, and the provision of practical information and corporate matching for private companies. In the energy sector, the study suggests: 1) diversifying contract types beyond EPC procurement, 2) expanding petrochemical cooperation from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, 3) exporting nuclear power in response to the growing demand for nuclear facilities in the Gulf region, and 4) strengthening cooperation in hydrogen technology. In the field of advanced industries and technology, the recommendations include: 1) building digital platforms, 2) expanding R&D cooperation in advanced technologies, and 3) enhancing cooperation in AI technology.

국문요약

제1장 서론
1. 연구의 배경 및 목적
2. 선행연구 및 연구의 차별성
3. 연구의 구성

제2장 걸프 국가의 아시아 중시 정책 개념의 등장 배경과 평가
1. ‘걸프 국가의 아시아 중시 정책’ 개념의 등장 배경
2. 걸프-아시아 협력 추이
3. 중동의 아시아 중시 정책의 경제협력 효과

제3장 걸프 국가의 대아시아 협력 수요
1. 에너지
2. 첨단 산업 및 기술
3. 소결

제4장 걸프-아시아 주요 협력사례 및 비교
1. 중국
2. 일본
3. 인도
4. 한국
5. 국가별 특징 비교

제5장 결론 및 정책 시사점
1. 연구 내용 요약
2. 아시아-걸프 밀착이 한국에 주는 시사점
3. 한국의 대걸프 협력 제언

참고문헌

Executive Summary