The Federal government yesterday assured the German government of a more cordial bilateral relationship which will enhance Economic Cooperation and development between the two countries.
Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Nebolisa Anako, said that the visit of Her Excellency and her team to the Ministry will bring a better opportunity to discuss and exchange views on the bilateral cooperation and provide the forum for a coordinated approach to enhance the economic cooperation between them.
The Permanent Secretary further expressed delight that the four priority areas which the German Government is currently supporting Nigeria are well aligned with the latter’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2021- 2025. He specifically commended the existing cordial relationship between both countries particularly for all the various projects being funded by the German Government through the KFW Development Bank and the projects executing agency, the German International Cooperation (GIZ).
According to Mr. Anako, he said these include sustainable economic development, training and employment, transformation of agri-food systems, climate and energy: and health, social protection and population policy among others.
He also assured of the federal government’s commitment towards achieving the mutual objectives of the Nigerian- German Development Cooperation.
In her response, the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ms. Svenja Schulze, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, expressed her appreciation on behalf of the German Government of good relationship existing between the two nations.
Schulze further commended the existing partnerships between both countries which started in 1960 and also said that the visit would strengthen bilateral relations as well as discuss new partnerships in view of the changing global dynamics and regional security threats.
The German envoy also stressed the need for greater collaborations amid regional threats resulting from forced changes of government in West Africa especially Niger, as well as a growing distillation of threats from terrorism, food insecurity and climate change.
She said partnerships and networks are crucial to achieving worldwide development goals.
Ms. Schulze said going forward, Germany’s African partnership will focus more on social, and environmentally friendliness as well as gender equity in all areas of her corporation including sustainable economic development and trade.
