Economy
Bangladesh, Germany Seal 191mn Euro Deal for Development Cooperation
Germany has pledged 191 million euros to Bangladesh, signaling its commitment to support the country’s sustainable development. The two nations recently inked bilateral agreements on Development Cooperation, following up on commitments made during government negotiations in December 2022. These agreements encompass a total volume of 191 million euros, equivalent to approximately 2,215 crore Bangladeshi Taka, with 55 million euros allocated for Technical Cooperation (TC) and 136 million euros for Financial Cooperation (FC), as detailed in a press release.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Dhaka, saw Sharifa Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Jan Janowski, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bangladesh, sign the agreements on behalf of their respective governments. The event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Government of Bangladesh, the German Embassy in Dhaka, and key representatives from the main implementing agencies within German Development Cooperation, namely GIZ for technical cooperation and KfW for financial cooperation.
The projects outlined in these agreements focus on critical areas such as Green and Just Energy Transition, Sustainable Urban Development, Sustainable Supply Chains, Biodiversity and Women Empowerment, as well as support for Host and Displaced Communities in Cox’s Bazar.
Under the Technical Cooperation agreement, the projects encompass various initiatives, including energy efficiency promotion, vocational training, climate-smart urban development, and support for climate adaptation targets, among others.
Meanwhile, the Financial Cooperation agreement includes substantial funding for Climate Change Adapted Urban Development Programs, contributing to the sustainable growth of urban areas in Bangladesh.
Germany has a longstanding history of providing both financial and technical assistance to Bangladesh, dating back to 1972, with a cumulative contribution exceeding 3 billion euros. Their cooperation has played a pivotal role in areas like climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, good governance, human rights, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and assistance to Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar district.
These newly signed agreements signify the continuation of successful bilateral cooperation, aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning with the Climate Goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Germany operates its technical and financial cooperation activities in Bangladesh through three institutions: GIZ, KfW Development Bank, and BGR, all of which are overseen by the Embassy of Germany in Bangladesh.
Currently, the German government is financing 23 projects in Bangladesh, totaling 452.5 million euros in loans and 161.054 million euros in grants. Additionally, a separate technical cooperation project, “Strengthening Access to Justice and Legal Reforms (SAJLeR),” was signed between Bangladesh and Germany. This initiative, with a fund of 12.422 million euros, aims to enhance access to justice services for the marginalized, particularly the poor, women, and children, by introducing new reform approaches in the justice sector.
During the eleventh month of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have fallen below $19 billion for the first time. After paying off some import bills, the reserves have now stood at $18.26 billion on Sunday.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of May 8, the total foreign currency reserves of the country were $19.82 billion.
Mohammad Mezbauul Haque, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, informed that through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), the central bank has paid off import bills totaling $1.63 billion over the past two months.
However, Bangladesh Bank maintains that after paying off the import bills, the foreign currency reserves now stand at $23.71 billion.
According to the Central Bank’s accounts, the reserves were $25.27 billion on May 8.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) have expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her directive to list government companies in the capital market, a move hailed as timely and positive.
The directive was issued during the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last Thursday.
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, Chairman of DSE, described the directive as a significant step towards enhancing the dynamics of the capital market. He emphasized that besides invigorating the capital market, this move would also attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Despite previous efforts, government institutions had not been listed in the stock exchange, according to a notification issued by the DSE. The Prime Minister’s directive is seen as a pivotal step towards revitalizing and expanding the economy.
Dr. Babu further remarked, “The listing of reputable companies in the capital market, as directed by the Prime Minister, will greatly benefit the country’s economy. It will also enhance investor confidence.”
Similarly, the DBA released a notification applauding the Prime Minister’s directive, terming it as positive and timely for the capital market.
Saiful Islam, President of DBA, expressed optimism about the directive’s potential to accelerate the country’s capital market and overall economy. He pledged support to relevant government departments and regulatory bodies in implementing the directive, ensuring its positive impact on the economy, including the capital market.
India has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh’s Teesta project, announced Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Mahmud stressed the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s needs. He confirmed discussions on the Teesta issue during the meeting. Mahmud also affirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, indicating that the finalization of the date would depend on the formation of the new Indian government following ongoing elections.
Meanwhile, the IMF has approved a $1.15 billion staff-level loan for Bangladesh in its third tranche. Mahmud noted the ongoing elections in India and the subsequent formation of the new government as factors influencing the scheduling of PM Hasina’s visit.
When asked about the sequence of visits to India and China, Mahmud suggested Delhi’s geographical proximity to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources suggest PM Hasina’s visit to India is planned for early July, following India’s elections.
Pre-election surveys indicate strong prospects for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Modi previously congratulated PM Hasina on her electoral victory in January, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations.
The last bilateral engagement between the prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi is expected to invite South Asian and BIMSTEC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Addressing border killings, Mahmud emphasized the government’s commitment to ending such incidents and promoting the use of non-lethal weapons by border forces. Discussions also covered enhancing physical and people-to-people connectivity, including cooperation with India to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through India. Mahmud highlighted the need to further ease visa restrictions to strengthen people-to-people relations.
