Uzbekistan joining CPEC anytime soon?

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday emphasised that Pakistan and Uzbekistan need to make efforts to enhance co-operation in the economic and commercial fields and fully exploit the huge potential for mutual trade. "Both countries need to formulate a joint integrated strategy to exploit the potential of trade in the region, especially in view of China-Pakistan Econ-omic Corridor. We need to establish Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Business Council and revive the Joint Commission. Pakistan also awaits to see Uzbekistan joining CPEC, and taking benefits from Gwadar Port," he underlined.
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 co-operation between the two countries. The Prime Minister expressed these views during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Ulugbek Rozikulov, who called on him here at the PM House, according to a press release issued by the PM's Media Wing here.
Welcoming the visiting delegation to Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed the confidence that the visit will contribute towards enhancing the bilateral 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 cherishes its close, friendly and fraternal relations with Uzbekistan as both the countries are bound by strong commonalties of history, faith and culture.
"We wish to take our bilateral relations to new heights based on mutually beneficial co-operation. Pakistan is keen to further expand ties in all fields, particularly economic and energy co-operation, connectivity and human resource development," he added. The Prime Minister proposed that both countries work together for making appropriate reforms in trade policies to facilitate trade, investment and free flow of goods and services between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The Prime Minister welcomed the concrete proposals from Uzbekistan for collaboration in the field of agricultural machinery, which are presently under consideration at the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food Security. "On behalf of the people, 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 Prime Minister for the warm welcome extended to the visiting delegation in Pakistan. He said that all necessary steps would be taken to explore and exploit the huge business and trade opportunities between the two countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan extended an invitation to the Prime Minister on behalf of Uzbek President to visit Uzbekistan. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation.