DUSHANBE, February 5, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) were the focus of a meeting of Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sharif Rahimzoda with GIZ Coordination Office Tajikistan Country Director Stefan Erber that took place here on February 3.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), the sides exchanged views on programs and projects implemented by the GIZ in Tajikistan.

Rahimzoda and Erber, in particular, discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation in sectors like health, education and agriculture, the source said.

Tajik minister reportedly noted that the GIZ has made considerable contribution to enhancement of various sectors of Tajikistan’s economy.

The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal Government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.  It primarily works for public-sector organizations.  Its headquarters are located in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany.

The German Agency for international Cooperation was established on January 1, 2011 through a merger of the three German organisations: the German Development Service (DED), the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), and International Training and Capacity-Building (InWEnt).

The GIZ mainly operates on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Further clients are other departments of the government, international donors like the European Union, World Bank or the United Nations, partner countries and the private sector.  The cooperation with private enterprises is an emerging field in the domain of sustainable development promotion.  The GIZ is set up with International Services (IS) and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in this area.