Saudi king begins multi-nation tour of Asia

Saudi Arabia's King Salman, left, stands next to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after inspecting an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Salman is on four-day official visit to Malaysia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman, second from left, inspects a honor guard during a welcome ceremony at parliament house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. King Salman is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman, left, stands next to Malaysia's King Muhammad V before inspects a honor guard during a welcome ceremony at parliament house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. King Salman is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

Saudi King Salman has arrived in Malaysia to kick off a multi-nation tour aimed at boosting economic ties with Asia.

The official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the monarch's tour will also take in Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives. Salman will also visit Saudi Arabia's neighbor Jordan before returning home.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter, with much of its crude destined for customers in Asia.

The kingdom is eager to attract investment as it diversifies its economy, including for its upcoming initial public offering of part of state oil giant Saudi Aramco.