The Nigerian and German governments have agreed to deepen ties on sustainable economic development, climate change, and agriculture.
This was disclosed at the just concluded Nigeria-German Bilateral government consultations and sectoral dialogue held in Abuja, reported in a statement by the Ministry of Information.
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The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, commended the German government for its commitment and undying interest in the affairs of Nigeria since independence.
He stated that the cooperation between both nations was based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding. He added that since the last consultative meeting between both sides was held in 2017, progress had been made on programmes and projects as contained in the resolutions.
The meeting was also to discuss the new German Reform Strategy, which is a plan to improve Germany’s development policy with its partner countries.
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The Minister disclosed that the reforms would focus on areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, including, climate, health, and family policy, sustainable supply chains, harnessing digital technology, technology transfer, and strengthening private investment, with a view to overcoming hunger and poverty.
He pointed out that the reform strategies were in line with the economic sustainability and inclusive growth espoused by the Government of Nigeria in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017-2020).
Claudia Wolk, Country Manager Nigeria, representing the German Government, said the bilateral development co-operation, was to reform processes and reposition German development co-operation, in order to improve the capacity to tackle new challenges and demands in international co-operation.
The areas outlined by both countries include;
- Sustainable economic development: Germany said it would continue to support Nigeria through measures focused on promotion of needs-based technical and vocational education and employment possibilities for the youth with 7.5 million EUR (Bilateral Technical Cooperation Grant).
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- Responsibility for our planet-climate energy: The German government explained that a feasibility study had been commissioned, recommending a financial contribution in the form of a subordinated loan of 25 million Euro (Bilateral Financial Cooperation) and accompanying measures of 0.5 million Financial Cooperation Grant from the German Government to start the MSME credit line with the focus on RE/EE (Green Credit Line).
- Agricultural sector: The German government pledged to commit 4.3 million Euros (Regional Technical Cooperation Grant) to the Green Innovation Center for the Agriculture and Food Sector to increase employment, income generation, and productivity improvement along various agricultural chains.
- COVID-19 responses: The German government intends to further commit 5 million Euros (Bilateral Financial Grant) to the ongoing eradication programme. That would allow support for the implementation of the National COVID-19 Response Plan.
What you should know
- Nairametrics reported in October that the Federal Government of Nigeria had opened the portal for the registration of the 2021/2022 Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) scholarship for deserving Nigerians.
- The BEA scholarship is awarded to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and tenable in some selected countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- Nigeria also agreed to deepen bilateral relationships with other nations as Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, disclosed last month that the Federal Government of Nigeria would sign more Bilateral and Multilateral Air Services Agreements in the year 2021, for the benefit of air travellers and the nation at large.
- The Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month, which provides a platform for the nations to engage each other bilaterally.
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