Germany to provide 208mn Euro to BD

Germany will provide 208 million Euro in assistance to Bangladesh for combating the adverse impacts of climate change, develop energy efficiency and strengthen governance. Newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Thomas Heinrich Prinz said this when paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office on Wednesday. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. He said Germany would continue its partnership in Bangladesh’s development efforts saying that it has made tremendous success in socioeconomic development. "Bangladesh is on the right track," he said. Referring to Bangladesh's progress in the IT sector, the German envoy expressed his high hope to bring some investment from his country to this sector. He said some 1,500 Bangladeshi students are now getting German visas on average every year for higher study and this time it might be increased. Mentioning that Bangladesh's potentials in biogas, Dr Thomas Heinrich Prinz said 26 per cent of the total energy consumption of his country comes from renewable energy. "We want to increase it to 50 per cent," he said. He said Germany would help Bangladesh set up a separate burn institute in the country. Welcoming the new German Ambassador to Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she appreciates the sustained commitment of Germany to Bangladesh through development cooperation since its birth. Mentioning Bangladesh's growing shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said there is scope of cooperation in this sector. The Prime Minister also invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel through the Ambassador to visit Bangladesh at her convenient time, according to a news agency.