German clean energy aid hailed

CM informs visiting minister about women empowerment initiatives

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif agreed on cooperation in clean energy and climate-friendly projects with a German delegation led by Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze to discuss promotion of economic and trade ties between Punjab and Germany.

The chief minister commended cooperation of German companies in sectors like textiles.

Issues related to climate change and environmental protection were also discussed in the meeting. The chief minister expressed her gratitude for the German aid of €91.1 million for the flood victims of Punjab.

She said, "Eradication of climate change and environmental pollution are among our priorities. For the first time, Punjab has increased the budget for environment by 400 per cent."

She underscored that necessary measures were being taken to eliminate smog and environmental pollution.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the German initiative of providing €24 million to Pakistan for sustainable energy.

She said, "I appreciate Germany's support for achieving GSP Plus status."

The chief minister said, "We are determined to gradually increase the economic role of women in the country's development."

She added, "Plug and play textile units and garments city projects will increase the economic independence of women. Skilled women will be able to get excellent employment in the garment industry." She said, "In the Vocational Training Centre of the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park, women will be given training as well as scholarship. We are also emphasizing on the importance of empowering women in all sectors."

The chief minister said, "Workers' safety and protection of their economic and social rights are being ensured in all industries of Punjab." She said a school meal programme was being launched to remove malnutrition in students of government schools in Punjab.

She briefed the German delegation about reforms in the education and health sectors of Punjab.

German Minister Svenja Schulze said, "Punjab is a preferred province due to the potential of industry and skilled labour."

She added, "The presence and participation of women in parliament, government offices and other areas of life is commendable." She appreciated the Garments City Project for the economic empowerment of women.

German Minister Svenja Schulze concluded her visit to Pakistan in Lahore. She also visited the Inter Market Knit Private Ltd factory where socks are produced for the German market.

Afterwards, she visited a sustainable market at the Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions and the Environment (CIWCE).

The visiting minister participated in the Textile Industry Sustainability Forum (TISF) where she discussed matters of work environment, sustainable production methods and increasing competitiveness with representatives of the Punjab government, the textile industry, trade unions and civil society. Minister Schulze visited one of the Khawaja Industries factories in Sialkot, where footballs for the German first league (Bundesliga) are produced.

Germany is Pakistan's third-most important economic cooperation partner. In 2023, Germany had pledged 1,633 million euros for economic cooperation with Pakistan. German-Pakistani cooperation covers developing professional training capacities, supporting small and medium enterprises, promoting renewable energies and adapting to the consequences of climate change.