Germany has committed €12 million (around Tk 1.78 billion) in grants to support two development projects in Bangladesh, focusing on the protection of coastal ecosystems and improving energy efficiency.
Two separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed on Thursday at the conference room of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Additional Secretary of the ERD Dr Rokhsana Tarannum signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh, while GIZ Country Director Marc Gombert signed on behalf of the German government.
According to an ERD statement, the grants will finance a project aimed at protecting coastal mangrove and swamp forests and another titled “Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development.”
€5 Million for Coastal Ecosystem Protection
Under the first MoU, Germany will provide €5 million (approximately Tk 715.2 million) for the coastal forest project.
The project will be jointly implemented by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Its primary objective is to strengthen the protection, restoration and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources through selected coastal communities in Bangladesh.
The initiative is expected to enhance community participation in conserving vulnerable coastal ecosystems while promoting sustainable management of natural resources.
€7 Million to Promote Energy Efficiency
The second project will receive a €7 million (around Tk 1.001 billion) German grant.
The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), under the Power Division, and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), under the Ministry of Industries, will jointly implement the project.
The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency in industrial facilities and residential buildings through greater participation of public- and private-sector stakeholders.
A key objective is to reduce electricity consumption from the national grid by promoting more efficient energy use and supporting the adoption of energy-efficient practices and standards.
Germany’s Long-standing Development Partnership
The ERD said Germany has been a development partner of Bangladesh since 1972. Over the years, Germany has committed approximately €4 billion in financial and technical assistance to the country.
Currently, 19 development projects are being implemented in Bangladesh with German government grant assistance totaling approximately €109.62 million.
The latest grants underline Germany’s continued support for Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience, protect coastal ecosystems and improve energy efficiency across key sectors.
