Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed close ties between Thailand and Kuwait and pledged that Thailand is ready to cooperate with the Middle Eastern country to produce Halal food for the world, the Thai News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The Thai premier made her remarks at a reception she hosted on Monday for the Thai and Kuwaiti business communities as she arrived in Kuwait for a three-day visit.

Yingluck said Thailand and Kuwait have had a close relationship for nearly 50 years and the value of mutual trade between the two countries has increased by 185 percent over the past five years.

In the first half of this year, about 40,000 Kuwait tourists visited Thailand, she said.

Regarding economic cooperation between Thailand and Kuwait, Yingluck highlighted the concept "Kitchen to the World". She said that Thailand's exports of Halal food have increased by 30 percent compared to last year, and an efficient standardized Halal food industrial estate has been established in the country's southern region.

Thailand expects to cooperate with Kuwait in producing and exporting Halal food to the world community.

Yingluck added Thai businesspersons who accompanied her during this trip are also keen to invest in the energy, public health and tourism industries in Kuwait.