Cooperation with Asia

Asia is a continent of stark contrasts. It is home to the industrialised nation of Japan and the rapid economic growth of China, India and other rising economic powers on the one hand. But it is also home to a number of developing countries and 700 million people with insufficient income. The gulf between the rich and the poor in the rising economic powers is also widening. But the central challenges of social inequality and mass poverty are not the only ones facing the regions and countries Asia. The environmental destruction that goes hand in hand with them is already having an effect on the rest of the world . It has reached levels that threaten successful economic and social progress made in Asian countries. Additionally open and hidden conflicts and wars continue to restrict the development of many of this continent’s countries.

Structural changes and wide-reaching reforms can solve problems such as the destruction of the environment and social inequality over the long-term. In 1990, for example, the number of people in Asia living off less than a dollar a day dropped by around one-third. This development can be encouraged, which is why shaping sustainable economic development that is socially just and promoting growth strategies that address poverty are particularly important in Asia.

Through capacity building Inwent supports its partner countries in Asia in meeting these huge challenges. We promote bilateral cooperation, and encourage dialogues and the formation of networks in the region. The growing number of Inwent alumni and the alumni associations they have founded are an increasingly important element of our work in Asia.

China and India are especially important for Inwent as partners in Asia. As anchor countries they play an increasingly crucial role in German development work in shaping regional and international policies. Without their involvement, global problems such as climate change cannot be solved, and other challenges such as the stability of the financial market cannot be mastered. Inwent works together with China and India to address such topics as energy efficiency and regenerative energy sources, sustainable city development, financial and monetary policy, the development of financial systems and vocational education.

Vietnam and Indonesia number among the Asian countries that successfully achieved considerable economic successes over the last few years. Inwent supports these countries in securing these and in promoting areas such as good governance and regional economic policy and promotion. We also provide assistance in creating and reforming efficient systems for vocational education and health, and social security systems that address poverty.

Regional organisations are playing an increasingly important role in Asia. Inwent cooperates closely with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asean Nations) secretariat on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office, thus strengthening its human resource development. We also cooperate in vocational education.

In those Asian regions torn apart by conflict, such as Afghanistan, Iraq or some areas in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, there is a huge need for capacity building to master reconstruction and the democratisation of institutional structures, and to ensure internal security. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is our most important client in this area of Asia. Inwent also works with increasing frequency for other government clients, such as the Federal Foreign Office, and for international organisations.

Information on Asia from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s anchor country concept