Aberdeen communications agency Fifth Ring has opened a new office in Kuala Lumpur.

The agency, which already has offices in Texas, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, described the latest opening as "the first step of a strategic expansion into Asia".

It believes the region offers opportunities across its key markets of energy, construction, property and financial services.

Group managing director, Clif Collier (pictured), said: "Our Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices have found over recent years that they have increasingly become a bridge into the Far East and with offices already in the major energy capitals of the world, including Houston and Aberdeen, the decision to have an office and full time team based there was the next logical step for us.

“Our areas of specialism: oil and gas, construction, the property industry and financial services, very much reflect the growth areas within the Malaysian market.”

Based in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle, the new office will be led by senior communications consultant Abi Firth, who will be permanently based in Kuala Lumpur.

Senior business positioning consultant, Jayne Craib, has been seconded on a long-term contract to the Kuala Lumpur office.

Ian Ord, Fifth Ring’s business development director, said: “This exciting new venture will enable us to use our Kuala Lumpur office as the hub from which to conduct our business across both Malaysia and wider Asia.

"A local presence is a prerequisite in order to succeed, and we are confident that this expansion will lead to attractive opportunities for Fifth Ring, not only in procuring new business, but also in presenting new opportunities to our existing client base."