The two day meeting of the Indo-German Annual Consultation on Development cooperation began, here today. The meeting will review the ongoing programmes and discuss new projects for funding under the Indo-German Development Cooperation Programme.
The umbrella agreements for financial cooperation and technical cooperation for projects committed in 2007 was signed today by Shri Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance from Indian side and Mr. Wolfgang Kanera, Head of the South Asia Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from the German side. The agreements entail German development assistance amounting to Euro 302.79 million (Rs.1998 crores approx).
Financing Agreement for ‘Participatory Natural Resource Management in Tripura’ was also signed during the Consultations. The project envisages the socio-economic empowerment of tribals/rural poor of Tripura and the protection of natural resources through the development of participatory management of natural resources in Tripura. Government of Tripura will act as Project Executing Agency for the project and will be implemented in approximately 100 villages in the Dhalai and North Tripura districts. Under this programme, Government of Germany committed Euro 12 million as financial grant assistance during Indo-German Negotiations held in 2004.
The Development co-operation with the Federal Republic of Germany is seen as an example of excellent bilateral cooperation, innovation and alignment of development priorities. The German development cooperation portfolio is closely aligned with our Plan priorities. In 2005, new priority areas of Indo-German development cooperation were mutually agreed upon, which focus on Energy (energy efficiency and renewable energy), Environmental Protection and sustainable use of natural resources and Economic Reforms (micro financing, cooperation, banking, SME financing).
Germany is the pioneer in providing useful technical assistance to India in the key area of energy efficiency. The road map of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has largely been laid out with the German technical assistance. Germany is also supporting important power sector projects, both hydel and thermal.
The Indo-German development cooperation has been historically important having the roots in the German Financial Cooperation support to Rourkela Steel Plant in 1958. Since then, it has led to development of longstanding and fruitful partnerships in health, infrastructure development, rural development, poverty alleviation, economic reforms, consumer protection, environmental protection, SME development and other relevant sectors.
The German development cooperation has been increasing in quantum in recent times. While in 1990s, the annual commitments were in the range of Euro 60-80 million, Germany has enhanced its engagement in India by committing overall funds of Euro 352 million in 2005, Euro 240 million in 2006 and Euro 302 million in 2007
. 2008 marks the 50th year for Indo-German Development Cooperation. Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zuel will be visiting India during October, 2008. During her visit to India, both the Governments are keen to organize ceremonial events to commemorate 50 years of development partnership.
************BSC/SS/GN-122/08
(Release ID :39021)