Germany plans to provide 600 million euros to Bangladesh in development aid under its agenda on climate development, German Ambassador Achim Tröster said Tuesday and also spoke about trade facilities on the European market.
This forthcoming amount will be in addition to the present programme for which Germany allocated 409 million euros, the envoy told a press briefing.
"Partnerships implementing some of 400 million and it comes, and I'm quite optimistic, to the assigning degree of the Canada development partnership that we had proposed years ago to Bangladesh," he said.
He said after meetings with the members of the current interim government of Bangladesh, he got "a very optimistic impression" that the current programme can be concluded before the period of its validity.
The envoy mentioned that the conclusion of the current project will pave the way for Bangladesh to get 600 million euros.
About the German stance on providing the GSP-plus facilities to Bangladesh, he said he had a lot of discussions and meetings with entrepreneurs from Bangladesh over the issue.
Since Bangladesh economy heavily relies on export sector, any kind of facilities with regard to reduction in customs and any trade barriers will be of huge benefit for Bangladesh, he said, adding that he had urged the stakeholders in the country to try for the GSP-plus trade facilities.
The European Union is the largest export market for Bangladesh, and the country enjoys generalized system of preferences (GSP) facilities in trade with the EU-member countries. Next stands out GSP Plus scheme.
But, at the same time, he felt that Bangladesh should start the preparation to ensure that it will strictly comply with the conditions.
He also cautioned that there is very little flexibility among the EU members to extend the grace period provided to Bangladesh regarding the EBA (everything but arms) facilities in export to the EU market.
The briefing took place after the signing of an agreement under which the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany entered into a partnership to collaborate on the EBL Climate Change Action Award with the common goal of promoting climate-change adaptation and mitigation in Bangladesh.
The award, sponsored by Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), will be announced annually with the aim of recognizing and celebrating the best practices by local corporations, manufacturing companies, NGOs, and climate activists who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in implementing climate projects and initiatives.
The Joint Declaration of Intent was signed by German Ambassador Achim Tröster and Managing Director of EBL Ali Reza Iftekhar.
The Ambassador said, "Mitigating Climate Change and adapting to it can only work if governments, private sector and civil society work hand in hand. This effort needs leadership, innovation and mutual learning by all actors.
"Thus, we very much welcome the Initiative of Eastern Bank PLC to honor such efforts in Bangladesh. EBL is already a long-standing partner supported by German Development Cooperation's private-sector instruments with loans and technical support. We are happy to intensify this cooperation with this Joint Declaration of Intent."
EBL's Managing Director, Ali Reza Iftekhar, said, "Germany and EBL share a common goal of promoting work to combat climate-change challenges impacting Bangladesh. We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on our Climate Change Action Award initiative and hope to work together closely to promote the climate cause.
"Through this award we aim to inspire and motivate more actors to join the fight against climate change in Bangladesh."
The award categories cover a wide range of sectors and themes involving climate- change challenges crucial to Bangladesh.
The winners will be selected by a panel of judges comprising experts from academia, civil society, media, and international partners like the German Embassy.
The nomination process for the EBL Climate Change Action Award 2024 will be announced soon through newspaper, electronic media and EBL website and social media platforms.
This is EBL's second partnership. Earlier this year in May, EBL and the U.S. Department of State signed a partnership to collaborate on the EBL Climate Change Action Award.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com