MANAMA: Just as Bahrain is a hub for the Middle East so Thailand is a hub for ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

"Thailand is not just a local market but a regional market," Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told more than 300 delegates at a meeting between Thai and Bahraini businesspeople at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain yesterday.

The event was part of a series of networking meetings between Thai and Bahraini businesspeople across a wide range of industrial sectors.

"Thailand not only shares a lot of interests with Bahrain but we also share a very strong friendship," she said.

"We are working with our neighbours to improve our potential and we are working with Bahrain as well.

"Whenever Bahrain faces challenges we are there for you and we wish to continue to enhance our economic and business partnership with the kingdom."

Prime Minister Shinawatra is leading a major trade delegation to Bahrain to build on existing ties.

"We have signed a number of memorandums of understanding in the past and this week we have signed a new MoU on agricultural co-operation. The point of this visit is to expand and increase our business links in the future.

"We welcome Bahraini investment in our country and in our infrastructure and there are many more areas where the two countries can work together."