Pakistan needs to develop renewable energy projects to overcome its requirements and Germany is willing to invest in these ventures, German Consul General in Karachi, Dr Tilo Klinner said on Monday night.
“With joint efforts, Germany and Pakistan can achieve a lot. Let us work for a better and brighter future,” he added.
“However, the government should create an investor-friendly environment to attract foreign investment.”
Dr Klinner was speaking at a function organised by the German consulate on the occasion of Germany’s national day that marks the 21st reunification anniversary of the country.
Several dignitaries belonging to the government, the corporate sector, politics and diplomatic circles attended the event.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah was the chief guest of the ceremony, but did not speak to the audience.
Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Shehla Raza, provincial Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah, eminent business leaders including Byco Petroleum’s Kalim A Siddiqui, NIB Bank President Khawaja Iqbal, former KCCI president Majyd Aziz and Republic of Korea Consul General Inki Lee were also present on the occasion.
Dr Klinner said that his country is supporting the Pakistani government in providing relief goods to the flood-affected people of Sindh. “Germany will also provide two million euros to the Pakistani government to combat the catastrophe in Sindh.”
The German consul general said that the Pakistani government should improve the law and order situation in the country and minimise the energy crisis to attract foreign investment.
“After a peaceful resolution that brought down the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 and German unification on October3, the unified Germany underwent a major and sometimes difficult transformation process. Today we can proudly look back on the last 21 years,” he said.
“The united Germany is the economic mainstay of an enlarged Europe with 27 member states. Our country has so far weathered out the global financial and economic crises with remarkable success. This year we mark another important anniversary.”
Dr Klinner pointed out that the German-Pakistani partnership has turned 50 years old. The development cooperation between the two countries started in 1961 and still continues in priority areas like energy, education, health and good governance.
“Having arrived in Karachi only recently, I consider it my primordial task to develop the enormous potential of German-Pakistani relations into a broad modernisation partnership,” he said.
“This partnership should not only be state-driven but also involved the private economic sector and the civil societies of our countries. On this occasion, I can only cite a few sectors with great opportunities for common initiatives.”
The German diplomat said that renewable energy helps not only in solving the problem of power shortage, but also brings electricity to remote parts not connected to the power grid and reduces greenhouse gases.
He also underlined the need for vocational training that “empowers young people, gives them a place in life and creates a middle class, the key factor for a stable and prosperous country”.
“Large urban agglomerations like Karachi need holistic socio-technological solutions developed by innovative companies. Germany can help Pakistan with its world renowned vocational training system and companies specialising in advanced solutions for mega-cities,” he said.
