€14.45m deals signed with Germany for sustainability

Bangladesh and Germany signed three new technical cooperation agreements yesterday.

The deals, valued at €14.45 million, focus on transforming the textile sector, enhancing climate adaptation efforts, and advancing sustainable electric mobility, according to a press release.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Andreas Kuck, country director of GIZ Bangladesh, signed the agreements, highlighting the shared commitment of both nations to sustainable growth.

The agreement on the "Programme for Sustainability in the Textile Sector II (STILE-II)", with funding of €7.3 million under the Ministry of Commerce, aims to modernise Bangladesh's textile and ready-made garment (RMG) industries, aligning them with EU sustainability standards.

Key outcomes include policy alignment, strengthened sectoral instruments, and the promotion of gender equality.

The "Localisation of National Climate Adaptation Targets (LOCAT)" deal, backed by €3 million, will help the Local Government Division enhance institutional capacities for urban climate action plans aligned with the National Adaptation Plan. Outputs include gender-responsive tools and a learning framework for city-level climate strategies.

The "Transition to Sustainable E-Mobility (Trans2SMo)" deal will enable the Power Division to utilise €4.15 million to promote electric mobility.

 This includes refining legal frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, and pilot projects showcasing the viability of electric vehicles.