BANGKOK: Strong GCC-Asean links are necessary to counter global economic volatility, the Premier said yesterday. He also stressed Bahrain's keenness to build bridges of co-operation with the rest of the world, particularly with Thailand and other members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations.

Strong trade links between the two economic blocs will help both tap the vast opportunities to achieve high growth rates, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said.

He outlined Bahrain's stance during official talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at government headquarters in Bangkok.

Both sides agreed to take measures to bolster co-operation on food security, livestock and fish farming to meet basic nutritional needs in Bahrain. They also discussed ways of making the kingdom a distribution hub for Thai products in the region.

The Premier is visiting Bangkok where he delivered a keynote speech to the World Economic Forum on East Asia on Thursday as a special guest of honour of the Thai prime minister.