JAKARTA, 5 March 2012 – Germany is one of ASEAN’s most important Development Partners.  To date, Germany has contributed 48 million Euros to ASEAN projects.

“Other than financial assistance, the significance of Germany’s contribution comes in the form of technical expertise, capacity building, skills upgrading, as well as project management,” said ASEAN Deputy Secretary General for Corporate and Community Affairs Development, H.E. Mr Bagas Hapsoro.

Speaking at the opening of the First ASEAN-Germany Strategic Planning Workshop, held at the ASEAN Secretariat, DSG Bagas cited some examples to illustrate the evolution of Germany’s assistance in keeping with developments in ASEAN.

“The successful completion of the ASEAN-German Regional Forestry Programme was succeeded by a new ASEAN-German Programme on Response to Climate Change. In the area of Regional Economic Integration, Germany is supporting two related projects on the promotion of competition policy and law, and in enhancing public-private sector engagement in the ASEAN Region – both at the national and the regional levels,” he said.

Reflecting the legendary German attention to details and professional focus on objectives, experts interviewed ASEAN Secretariat officers prior to the workshop to allow better orientation discussions.

The break-out sessions saw participants from the ASEAN Secretariat, Permanent Missions from ASEAN Member States, the various GIZ offices, the German Embassy, and others engaged in active discussions covering Regional Economic Integration, Environmental/Climate Change, as well as Institutional Strengthening.

Many felt that workshop was a good opportunity for the various working groups to interact in an informal setting, which encourages freer exchange of ideas.

“The review workshop could not have come at a better time. Myanmar is poised for the 2014 Chair of ASEAN, and Timor Leste is knocking on ASEAN’s doors. Germany’s expertise and assistance will be invaluable in these exciting changes,” said DSG Bagas.