German envoy for 'balanced' anti-graft drive
German Ambassador in Dhaka Frank Meyke yesterday said ongoing anti-corruption drive should be conducted in a balanced way to ensure economic growth and public interest as well as fight against corruption.
"It needs a right balance -- fight against corruption and protect economy and public interest. The anti-corruption drive should not lead to more harm to general people," he said while addressing a talk with Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Replying to a question about lifting the ban on political activities and withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said the restrictions could be withdrawn gradually with the progress in party reforms and election roadmap.
The envoy reiterated that due process should be followed in trying the people accused of corruption. He welcomed the process of electoral and political party reforms and anti-graft drive for improving governance.
"Successful work of all democratic forces preparing for democratic elections and strengthening democratic process generally is all important for Bangladesh," he said.
Meyke said constructive talks of the political parties with the Election Commission agreeing on legally binding party reforms, particularly regarding intra-party democracy and accounting of party finances, would be decisive positive signals for investors.
Turning to German-Bangladesh economic relations, the ambassador said Germany is the biggest market for Bangladesh goods in Europe and the second biggest export market for Bangladesh worldwide.
"Our bilateral trade has developed exceedingly well in recent years, from 988 million euro in 2002 to 1.86 billion euro in 2006. This represents a very respectable 88 percent increase in just four years.
"In 2006 our bilateral trade increased by 29 percent, Bangladesh exports to Germany increased by 33 percent and Bangladesh imports from Germany increased by 18 percent."
From 2002 to 2006 exports from Bangladesh to Germany -- consisting largely of products of the RMG-industry -- and imports from Germany -- with machinery playing an important role -- have steadily and strongly increased.
However, during the first half of 2007 bilateral trade has decreased due to lack of confidence of buyers in the second half of 2006, when political unrest and extreme political confrontation prevailed in the country, he added.
"I have no doubt that keeping to the road map and, in particular, legally binding reforms of the political parties will be decisive factors in regaining the confidence of buyers and achieving strong export growth for Bangladesh again," he said.
The ambassador said German investment in Bangladesh amounts to about 50 million euro only, but he said there is considerable potential for expansion "if a sustainable political climate congenial to foreign investments is created with democracy and human rights stabilised and strengthened."
In the last 34 years of Bangladesh-German development cooperation, more than 2.3 billion euro of direct bilateral assistance has been made available and another 2 billion euro indirect multilateral German contributions went into programmes of the European Commission, the World Bank, the ADB and the UN families.
He said Germany donated more than $1.1 million in food aid to support people in flood-affected districts.
The envoy announced that the German government provides another $350,000 for ongoing rural infrastructure improvement programme for repairs of infrastructure damaged by floods.
DCAB President Anis Alamgir presided over the talk while General Secretary Raheed Ejaz made welcome address.
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