ISLAMABAD (GNP): The Government of Pakistan and the Government of Germany signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement worth € 40.5 million for the implementation of 9 projects of Technical Development. The agreement aims at strengthening bilateral development cooperation in key sectors, including climate resilience, social protection, and renewable energy. Under the agreement, the German Development Bank, KfW, will provide financial and technical support for the launch of nine new development projects across Pakistan.
The agreement was signed by Secretary Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai and German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ina Lepel, during a ceremony attended by senior officials from Ministry of Economic Affairs, and representatives of the German Embassy.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai, appreciated the continued support of the German Government and KfW towards Pakistan’s socio-economic development. He said Pak and Germany have maintained a strong and enduring development partnership since 1961, built on mutual trust and cooperation. He noted that Germany remains one of Pakistan’s key development partners, with the current active bilateral portfolio reaching approximately 550 million Euros.
German Ambassador, Ina Lepel said Germany highly values its longstanding partnership with Pakistan and remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable and inclusive development. She stated that the new agreement reflects the shared commitment of both countries to addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy transition, and social vulnerability through practical cooperation and joint action.
The Ambassador expressed confidence that the projects launched under the agreement would deliver meaningful benefits to communities across Pakistan and further deepen the strong relations between the two countries.
According to the Germans, As a neighbour of China, India, Iran and Afghanistan, Pakistan plays a key geopolitical and security role. In view of the high level of population growth and the dynamic domestic developments in Pakistan, the country is of vital importance for development in South Asia and is a significant partner for Germany’s development cooperation.
Social Protection in Pakistan: Aid After the Flood Disaster
In response to the devastating flood disaster, KfW Development Bank has launched a targeted social protection initiative in Pakistan aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across flood-affected provinces.
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The project focuses on delivering humanitarian and developmental assistance to communities most impacted by the floods, with efforts concentrated in key regions across the country, including the capital, Islamabad, and areas bordering neighboring nations.
As part of Germany’s broader commitment to climate resilience and development cooperation, this initiative reflects a coordinated effort to rebuild livelihoods, strengthen social safety nets, and foster long-term recovery in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. (As of: March 2024)
Pakistan has achieved success in alleviating poverty over the past few decades. However in 2022, the devastating floods that inundated 15% of the country’s total land area have strongly undermined these efforts. Livelihoods have been destroyed. To help the people affected by the floods, the Pakistani state-run Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) grants financial aid to impoverished families. KfW is providing funds for this programme on behalf of the German Federal Government. It is anticipated that women and their children and young girls will especially benefit from this. The objective is also to enable the BISP to better mitigate the impacts of climate change.
