Germany-Pakistan economic relations improving: Maryam Nawaz

PAKISTAN/LAHORE, PAKISTAN:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif thanked Germany for helping Pakistan get GSP Plus status and mentioned that economic ties between the two countries are improving day by day.

The Punjab Chief Minister met a group led by Svenja Schulze, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Antonia Felicitas Peters, Senior Policy Officer, and German Ambassador Alfred Grannas were also part of the trip.

The statement said that improving trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Germany was a topic of discussion during the meeting.

The commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation was reaffirmed as the conversation also touched on topics such as environmental protection and climate change.

Maryam Nawaz expressed gratitude for Germany’s donation of 91.1 million euros to flood victims.

A consensus on cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and climate-friendly projects was reached at the summit.

In her meeting with Svenja Schulze, Chief Minister Maryam said that combating environmental degradation and climate change was a top priority and the budget for environmental programmes had been increased by 400 per cent for the first time. Necessary measures are being taken to eliminate other environmental contaminants, including haze.

According to the statement, Pakistan received 24 million euros from Germany for renewable energy. Maryam Nawaz was congratulated for this.

Maryam Nawaz told the German Ambassador that it was admirable that German companies were cooperating in the textile sector and other sectors. She stressed her commitment to gradually increase the economic participation of women in the country’s growth, stressing that the Garments City and ready-made textile units will enhance the economic independence of women.

She went on to say that skilled women will be able to find good jobs in the garment sector.

According to Maryam Nawaz, the vocational training centre at Quaid-e-Azam Business Park will provide scholarships and training to women. She stressed the importance of protecting the economic, social and security rights of workers in all sectors and the advancement of women in all fields.

To address nutritional deficiencies among students, she also announced the launch of a school meals program.

The German minister was briefed by the chief minister on improvements in health and education.

Thanking Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, German Minister Svenja Schulze lauded the Garments City project.

The German minister said Punjab was a key province because of its skilled workforce and industrial potential. She also praised the commitment and visibility of women in parliament, government agencies and other fields.