IN SIGHT
Mr Juergen Koch, the country director for the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Thailand, finds that Thailand and Germany share many common concerns, and climate change is one of the most important
SIRIPORN SACHAMUNEEWONGSE
Most of us are familiar with the major role played by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) around the world, but most non-profit organisations (NPOs) are not nearly as visible.
While exploring a subject for a story in 2007, I worked with such an organisation, whose people made it clear to me that the distinction was important to them. Curious as to what differentiates an NPO from an NGO, I recently took the opportunity to meet with a representative from the NPO, Mr Juergen Koch, the country director for the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Thailand. Mr Koch was leaving soon on a trip to his hometown in Germany, but managed to schedule a brief interview with Perspective.
He said that what distinguishes GTZ from a typical NGO is that the organisation invests any profit it makes in other development projects it sponsors. For example, he explained that profits for the multi-national organisation are sometimes made from commissions.
"The profit is then transferred for operating other assistance projects, either in the same country or another country."
GTZ is owned 100% by the German government. Founded in 1975, it is based in Eschborn, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and has offices in 67 countries, including Thailand.
The focus of the organisation is to promote sustainable development. It has development projects in more than 130 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa.
GTZ has an impressive track record over its 30 years in Thailand. Projects lately have concentrated on increasing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agro-industry sector.
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| Mr Koch: "The idea is to create innovative solutions in addressing how to prepare for climate change." |
Mr Koch has been the director for GTZ Thailand since 2002, when, he recalls, the programme for promoting SMEs was in its initial phase.
"GTZ has chosen a few business sectors to deal with in Thailand," he says of the organisation's mission in Thailand. "On one hand, we try to help enterprises in the agro business sector become more competitive by improving their accessibility to better business practices. On the other hand, we deal with energy conservation, and encourage the eco-efficiency component of enterprises."
To give a clearer picture, he explained that one project implemented by GTZ in Thailand over the past few years concerns business and financial components of Thai SMEs in the fruit and vegetable sub-sectors. GTZ partnered with the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) in the project to improve the quality of produce so that it could suit the European market.
Other projects to promote environment-friendly business solutions have addressed the palm oil sector and the saa paper industry in northern Thailand.
GTZ has dealt with important community issues such as the management of solid waste and hazardous waste. Mr Koch remarked that the solid waste management project in Phitsanulok province, which was a direct partnership with the Phitsanulok Municipality, has been a top success.
"I think we have been able to greatly facilitate development of the waste management system in Phitsanulok province," he said, adding also that this was the most effective project he had seen so far in Thailand.
He remarked that businesses involved in implementing the waste management system in Phitsanulok are not only helping the environment in a significant way, they are creating jobs.
While the GTZ deserves a lot of credit for the success of the programme, Mr Koch said it would not have been possible without the cooperation and involvement of the mayor of Phitsanulok, Mrs. Premruadee Charmpoonod.
Change not always easy
Mr Koch stressed that from his experience in implementing development projects, creating change is not always easy, in Thailand or any place else. He considers that Thailand and Germany share many common concerns, and climate change is one of the most important.
Noting that Germany is considered a market leader in renewable energy technologies, he believes it is in the German interest to share these technologies with other countries.
"However, at GTZ we are not selling the technology. The idea is to create innovative solutions in addressing how to prepare for climate change, as well as to employ preventive measures, such as renewable energy," he adds.
Mr Koch remarked that Thailand is fast approaching the end of its status as an emerging economy. "Thailand has seen a lot of development since World War II, and is close to becoming an industrialised country now."
Accordingly, the future of developmental assistance by GTZ in Thailand may change.
To my surprise, Mr Koch revealed that he would be leaving Thailand this September to embark on his next mission in Abu Dhabi. He reflected that his six years in Thailand was actually an extraordinarily long time compared to the service tenure of other country directors.
He recalled that when he first came to Thailand it was almost like a dream come true, as he specialised in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economies and politics as a graduate student of economics in Heidelberg. After his studies he travelled to Southeast Asia and found it fascinating.
He often visited Malaysia and Singapore, but had never had the opportunity to live in the region. "I was extremely happy to come to Thailand. "Thailand is a perfect location, and it is very safe. I can also travel all around Asia at a lower cost," he said, adding that Bangkok has been an easy place to be and a "fun city". He also greatly enjoys diving for leisure and often visits the Similan islands or other islands in the Andaman Sea. Mr Koch said that in the future he hopes to travel to Thailand frequently and to meet with good friends here.
While he clearly will keep Thailand in his heart, he will no doubt find much to like in Abu Dhabi.
Remarking that he has been on the move for the past 18 years, Mr Koch offered a travelling tip: while travelling and living in different cultural contexts, keep your curiosity and don't forget you are a visitor. Most importantly, maintain an open mind and a willingness to learn.
"Actually, my job is really about learning to learn and being adaptable. I try to enjoy the positive aspects of each country.
"If I go back to Germany, it will only be to live in Berlin. I love the city," he concluded.
BIO DATA
Mr Juergen Koch was born on October 6, 1953 in Germany.
He graduated with a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in 1976.
Mr Juergen has been the Country Director for the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) Office in Thailand since 2002.
He was the Director for the GTZ Office in Brussels from 1998 to 2002. Before that, he was the Managing Director of GJW Europe, Brussels, from 1990 to 1992.
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