ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday emphasised that Pakistan and Uzbekistan needed to make efforts to enhance cooperation in the economic and commercial fields and fully exploit the huge potential for mutual trade. He said that Uzbekistan’s impressive annual economic growth and rich energy resources, and Pakistan’s large industrial and agricultural base provide an ideal environment for expansion of trade and commercial cooperation between the two countries. The premier expressed these views during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Ulugbek Rozikulov, who called on him at the PM’s House, read a statement issued by the PM’s Media Wing. Welcoming the visiting delegates, Nawaz expressed the confidence that the visit would contribute to enhancing relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He conveyed his heartiest felicitations to Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his election as the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The prime minister said that Pakistan cherished its close, friendly and fraternal relations with Uzbekistan, as both the countries were bound by strong commonalities of history, faith and culture. “We wish to take our bilateral relations to new heights, based on mutually beneficial cooperation. Pakistan is keen to further expand ties in all fields, particularly economic and energy cooperation, connectivity and human resource development,” he added. The premier proposed that both countries work together for making appropriate reforms in policies to facilitate trade, investment and free flow of goods and services between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. “Both the countries need to formulate a joint integrated strategy to exploit the potential of trade in the region, especially in view of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We need to establish Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Business Council and revive the joint commission. Pakistan also awaits to see Uzbekistan joining the CPEC, and taking benefits from Gwadar Port,” he said. The premier welcomed the concrete proposals from Uzbekistan for collaboration in the field of agricultural machinery, which were presently under consideration at the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food Security. “On behalf of the people, the government and on my own behalf, I express our sincere condolence on the sad demise of late president Islam Karimov. The visionary leadership of president Islam Karimov had been a source of continuity, stability and strength for Uzbekistan,” he concluded. Ulugbek Rozikulov thanked the premier for the warm welcome extended to the visiting delegation. He said that all necessary steps would be taken to explore and exploit the huge business and trade opportunities offered by the two countries. The deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan extended an invitation to Nawaz Sharif on behalf of the Uzbek president to visit Uzbekistan, which the premier accepted.