ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and Uzbekistan should “take full benefit of each other’s experiences”, adding that both countries should “work together to increase trade to $300 million”.

During his visit on Wednesday to the display centre of heavy machinery in Samarkand, which included trucks, cotton and rice harvesters and planters, tractors and buses, the premier said Pakistan desires to enhance bilateral trade with Uzbekistan.

Read more: Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to enhance trade ties, regional connectivity

The prime minister said Uzbekistan and Pakistan should “take full benefit of each other's experiences”.

He was received by Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Samarkand Governor Zair Tairov upon arrival at the historic city.

Apprising Prime Minister Nawaz, his counterpart Mirziyayev said the harvesters produced by Uzbekistan were “far cheaper than those in the international market”.

He said being an agricultural country, Pakistan “would need this machinery so that it could benefit from Uzbekistan's experiences”.

Nawaz was also shown a harvester that gathers crops by differentiating whether it is ripe or not.

Mirziyayev suggested that the Uzbek trade minister could visit Pakistan to test the displayed machinery on ground to prove their strength and performance.

Both countries on Tuesday inked a joint communique and several memorandum of understandings (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation, avoid double taxation and enhance collaboration in many areas.

Read more: Pakistan, Uzbekistan ink agreements, vow to strengthen ties

Addressing a joint press stakeout after signing of the bilateral agreements, Nawaz said his government was keen to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other connectivity projects would ensure regional development and prosperity.

He said that once a rail link between Pakistan and Uzbekistan was built, trade activities in the two countries would improve considerably.

First Lady Begum Kulsum Nawaz and a delegation comprising PM’s Special Assistant Shujaat Azim and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi accompanied Nawaz during his visit to Samarkand.

The premier visited the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Bukhari - known for authoring the hadith collection known as Sahih al-Bukhari - in Samarkand, where he offered fateha and prayed for the progress and prosperity of both countries.

He also visited the mausoleum of Turco-Mongol conqueror and founder of Taimuri Empire Amir Taimur Lang during his visit to Samarkand’s historic sites.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived at Azadi Square - an important centre of national ceremonies - in Tashkent, where he was received by the ruler of the city, Roshan Usmanov.

A contingent of armed forces of Uzbekistan presented salute to the Prime Minister as he laid flowers on the Azadi monument.

He also visited Registan Square, where he was briefed about the history of its structure and architecture.

Nawaz concluded his two-day official visit to Uzbekistan after visiting the historic city of Samarkand.

He was seen off by his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyayev and the governor of Samarkand.