Islamabad, Nov 10 (IANS): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday left for Germany on a two-day visit to Berlin.

He has been invited by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to a pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, Sharif will hold talks with Merkel and German Parliament President Norbert Lammert during the visit.

Nawaz Sharif will also address a business forum organised by the Pakistan Board of Investment, which is expected to be attended by a large number of German business executives and investors.

The visit of the prime minister will help in strengthening the existing ties between the two countries.

Pakistan and Germany enjoy close and cordial relations. Germany is Pakistan's fourth largest trading partner globally and the largest in the European Union.

Pakistan's bilateral trade with Germany stands at $2.5 billion annually.

There is also a strong Pakistan diaspora of over 70,000 living in Germany.

There are more than 2,300 students from Pakistan in German universities.