German Parliamentary State Secretary Hans-Joachim Fuchtel (left) and German Ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Ossowski (2nd from left) paid a courtesy call on Economic Planning Sec. Arsenio M. Balisacan (2nd from right) at the NEDA Director-General’s Office last October 28. The German officials and Secretary Balisacan discussed possible areas of cooperation in education as well as potential investments in the energy sector and infrastructure, among other concerns.

Secretary Balisacan thanked Germany for its contributions to the country’s development efforts and its support after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda last year.

Economic cooperation between the Philippines and Germany has generated PhP54 billion in total assistance to date. In recent years, Germany’s support focused on the development of the Caraga region in Mindanao and on the effects of climate change in the Philippines. In addition, the Philippines receives substantial German development assistance through the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the German Development Bank KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) and other multilateral channels such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union (EU) as well as various United Nations agencies.

Also present during the meeting was NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando G. Tungpalan (right).

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