Bangladesh and Germany formalised three cooperation agreements valued at US $ 14.89 million, aimed at enhancing sustainability across various sectors. The agreements were signed during a seminar at the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in Dhaka, with Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Andreas Kuck, country director of GiZ in Bangladesh, representing their respective countries.
The first initiative, titled Programme for Sustainability in the Textile Sector II (STILE-II), is backed by a fund of US $ 7.52 million. It focuses on assisting both public and private sectors in modernising Bangladesh’s textile and ready-made garment (RMG) industries to meet European Union sustainability standards. The Ministry of Commerce will oversee this project.
The second project, Support for the Localization of National Climate Adaptation Targets (LOCAT), has a budget of US $ 3.09 million. This initiative aims to strengthen the institutional capabilities of local governments in implementing City Climate Action Plans that align with Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan. The Local Government Division (LGD) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives will manage this endeavor.
Lastly, the Transition to Sustainable E-Mobility (Trans2SMo) project, with a funding allocation of US $ 4.28 million, seeks to foster sustainable electric mobility through collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and academic institutions. This project will be sponsored by the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources.
According to the ERD, the signing of these agreements represents a significant advancement in the ongoing partnership between Bangladesh and Germany, highlighting both nations’ commitment to promoting sustainable development in key areas such as textiles, climate adaptation, and electric mobility. The initiatives are expected to play a vital role in Bangladesh’s objectives for sustainable economic growth, environmental responsibility, and gender equality.
