Tk 717 cr German support for development

It also aims to support the health sector, and for projects to tackle energy deficiency and the use of renewable energy/solar home systems.

German Ambassador in Dhaka Frank Meyke and Economic Relations Division Secretary Ismail Zabihullah signed an agreement between the two governments about the financial co-operation projects and programmes yesterday.

"Poverty reduction, the development of an effective infrastructure for private sector activities in rural areas, the health sector and energy are at the very centre of the Bangladesh-German development Co-operation", Ambassador Meyke said.

"Germany supports Bangladesh with grants for measures in these important focal areas. We do this in the spirit of the long lasting friendly relations existing between our two countries wishing to even further strengthen them."

Meyke said Germany is determined to provide further assistance to Bangladesh, which is a priority partner country for German development co-operation.

Germany has supported Bangladesh since 1971 providing approximately Tk 19,780 crore (Euro 2.3 billion) of direct bilateral assistance and further Tk 16,340 crore (Euro 1.9 billion) through multilateral channels. Good governance is a cross-cutting issue for all efforts supported by Germany.