Germany offers neo dev partnership

Germany offers Bangladesh a new instrument of development cooperation in consonance with present-day perspectives, under which lot many projects will be forthcoming.
German Ambassador in Dhaka Achim Troster held out the offer Wednesday, naming the scheme 'Climate and Development Partnership'.
This is a stepping up of already-existing cooperation in the area of climate change and renewable energy, he said, adding that if the Government of Bangladesh responds positively, his country will send the draft of the charter.
A lot of projects will be undertaken under this instrument, mainly in the area of renewable energy, the ambassador said.
And "this format can really be a model for development cooperation for other countries".
Mr Troster revealed the European Union country's updated cooperation strategies at DCAB Talks, organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents' Association of Bangladesh.
The German ambassador mentioned that his country's bilateral trade with Bangladesh stands at nearly 6.0 billion US dollars, with the balance being much in favour of Bangladesh, whose imports from Germany amount to nearly $900 million per annum.
He also informed that a high profile-delegation of German investors is expected to visit Bangladesh soon.
"Unfortunately, the Covid crisis over the last two years has stopped and shifted a lot of visits, a lot of initiatives and one trip of German entrepreneurs," he told his audience.
A German delegation planned to come here and renew the experience at the beginning of 2019 but the visit was deferred and rescheduled for March of this year. But once again the trip was postponed for the pandemic problem.
"I am very optimistic that at the end of the year or at the beginning of next year, there will be a business trip…with a view to further expanding our economic cooperation."
Responding to a question about upcoming German investment in Bangladesh, he said big German companies usually do not forward their proposal through the embassy.
"They have their direct networks," he said, adding that these companies, like Mercedes or Audi or Siemens, contact embassies when they have questions with regard to legal regulations.
Responding to another question he said that there are around 15,000 Bangladeshis living in Germany, including 500 who have no legal status.
Those who have no legal status have to leave Germany, he added.
The German envoy vented his frustration over the congestion in the processing of student visas, saying that every day the embassy receives applications much more than their capacity
"No good news. Unfortunately, there is no swift solution. The demand is growing every day.
"So the only solution is everybody has to wait."
The ambassador said Germany has devoted more than 3.3 billion euro to bilateral development-cooperation projects here.
"I think both sides are very proud of what we have achieved," he said, referring to the 50 years of ties between the two countries.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and Secretary AKM Moin Uddin also spoke.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com