Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Monday, with the two agreeing to launch a feasibility study on setting up special deregulated economic zones to attract Japanese firms to the Middle Eastern country.

Within the so-called Enabler Showcase Zone, Saudi Arabia is expected to offer tax incentives and simplified customs procedures to encourage Japanese firms to build plants and research and development centers there.

In a related move, media reports have said Toyota Motor Corp. plans to begin studies soon on possibly building an auto assembly plant in Saudi Arabia.