ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Astana on Tuesday for a two day official visit to Kazakhstan, according to a report published on the Radio Pakistan website.

Upon his arrival, Premier Nawaz Sharif was received by the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Erlan Idrissov.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will hold meetings with President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Massimov on further augmenting bilateral relations in diverse fields.

The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interests.

Both the sides are also expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements and MOUs.

Premier Nawaz is accompanied by Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan, State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Jam Kamal, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Chairman Board of Investment Mifta Ismail and senior officials.

The prime minister's visit to Kazakhstan is reflective of his vision to enhance and strengthen Pakistan's relations with Central Asian Republics, the statement of the Radio Pakistan website added.

Premier Nawaz Sharif, while on his way to Astana, discussed with Pakistani traders ways and means to further augment trade relations with Kazakhstan.

He said exports of pharmaceutical, textiles, fruits and vegetables should be enhanced to Central Asian States. The traders appreciated the government's economic policies