German Consul General Dr Tilo Klinner said that his government wanted to become a partner in the development of Balochistan by providing facilities to the people of the province.
He was talking to reporters on the eve of his first visit to Balochistan. German Second Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs Ferdinand Jenrish and German Honorary Consul General Brigadier (retired) Abdur Razzak Baloch were also present on the occasion.
The German diplomat said that Germany was involved in three sectors in Balochistan, including Balochistan Rural Support Programme, imparting technical education to youth and rehabilitation of Afghan refugees with the support of the United Nations.
He said that German government was involved in imparting technical education in Balochistan since 1990. Training centres have been set up in Quetta and the districts of Lasbela and Loralai, he added.
He said that the German investers were very keen to invest in Balochistan as Germany was a major producer of alternate energy, adding that Balochistan had a great potential for producing alternate energy, including solar and wind energy. The diplomat said that Germany had aimed to switch its power source to renewable energy by 2050.
On investers’ interest in the Copper-Gold project after the Balochistan government rejected the application of the Tethyan Copper Company (TCC), the German consul general said that the Balochisan government and TCC were still negotiating. He hoped that the two parties reach an amicable decision that builds the confidence of foreign companies in investment in the province.
Dr Tilo said further that the pharmaceutical company Merk was the biggest employment provider in private sector within the country with around 600 employees, while over 5,000-6,000 people were being benefited indirectly.
