ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Omar Ayub Khan on Monday discussed road and digital connectivity projects with high level German delegation.
State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, Mr. Jochen Flasbarth called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs,Omar Ayub Khan in his office, said a press release issued here.
Ambassador of Germany in IslamabadMr. Bernhard Schlagheck, Head of Development / First Secretary of German Embassy, Ms. Marion Pfennigs, Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan of BMZ,Mr. Helmut Fischer, Board Member of GIZ,Mr. Thorsten Schafer Gumbel,Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan of GIZ,Ms. Julius Spatz, Country Director GIZ, Mr. Tobias Becker,Country Director KfW,Mr. Sebastian Jacobi and senior officers of EAD Ms. Laura Schneider of GIZ also attended the meeting.
Minister for Economic Affairs , Omar Ayub Khan appreciated the German’s enhanced bilateral economic cooperation with Pakistan. The Minister expressed that Pakistan and Germany are long-standing development partners.
Since 1961, Germany has provided EURO 3.8 billion as technical and financial assistance for socioeconomic development in Pakistan.
At present, Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) is providing EURO 147.5 million for Vocational Training, Health, Social Protection and Renewable Energy.
The Credit for Reconstruction Bank (KfW) has also committed EURO 301 million for various development projects including Renewable Energy, Health, Urban Infrastructure and Climate Change.
The Minister for Economic Affairs updated the German delegation about the ongoing policy reforms and initiatives and development priorities of the Government which include a stronger focus on climate change, green energy, agriculture, regional connectivity and information communication technologies.
The Minister also informed that there is need to focus on Vocational and Technical Education in the country.
In this regard, a proposal for establishing a state-of-the-art Technical Training University in Gilgit-Baltistan in under consideration.
The Minister stressed on improving road and digital connectivity across the country to facilitate safe travel, farm to market access and e-services.
State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr. Jochen Flasbarth, Germany expressed satisfaction at the trajectory of bilateral cooperation in different areas and discussed the ways to further enhance the bilateral technical and financial cooperation.
It was highlighted that Germany will provide further assistance for Social Sector including Education and Health, Green Energy, Urban Infrastructure, Digital Governance and Start-Up Pakistan Programme.
Both sides also exchanged views on increasing the cost effectiveness of development assistance initiatives and the measures to enhance cooperation with the private sector including export competitiveness through technical and financial assistance.
The Minister for Economic Affairs appreciated the German government for providing continued economic and technical assistance to Pakistan.
The Minister expressed that Pakistan has huge potential for investment in various sectors and reiterated full support of the Government of Pakistan to the investors in the country.
