Welthungerhilfe criticises the black‑red coalition for wanting to give more weight to commercial interests in development aid.
It is understandable from the political point of view that German companies should receive the majority of contracts issued under state‑backed development assistance, German general‑secretary Mathias Mog speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Wednesday edition). ”However, that approach is too short‑sighted” he said.
He argues that real progress requires direct investment by German firms in poorer, and potentially fragile, countries. Such investment is needed to create jobs for the largely young populations there and to provide a foundation for sustainable growth. “The experience of recent decades, however, shows that the German economy, despite various support programmes from the Ministry of Development Cooperation, is still unwilling to take on those risks” Mog told reporters. “Companies seem reluctant to accept the associated dangers”.
Mog reminds that development policy can and should be guided by interests. “A purely charitable purpose can no longer be communicated to the public” he said. Given the scarcity of tax revenues and mounting budget pressures, there is ever‑increasing pressure to justify spending. Thus, it is understandable that future decisions will be more heavily influenced by economic factors. Still, Mog warns that the minister’s vision will not be realised if that is the only approach.