Riyadh (AsiaNews/GDN) - Saudi Arabia's King Abdallah and Oil Minister Ali Al Nuaimi will start on Sunday a tour of Asian countries where oil demand is on the rise, a Saudi official said.
Starting in China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, the trip aims to cement growing energy and trade links between Asia and Saudi Arabia, the official said.
Asian diplomats in Riyadh confirmed the following dates, which are subject to last minute changes: India from January 25, in time to attend Republic Day celebrations on January 26; Malaysia from around January 29; Pakistan from February 1-3.
The Saudi official confirmed that Al Nuaimi, who is due to attend an Opec meeting in Vienna on January 31, would travel to Asia as part of the large Saudi delegation.
'China and India are becoming major consumers of Saudi oil, with possible joint ventures that will take us a step further to lock these markets,' the official said.
Earlier this month the Saudi cabinet authorised Al Naimi to sign co-operation protocols with China but gave no details.
King Abdallah's visits to Pakistan and Malaysia would focus on boosting commercial links, diplomats said.
