French companies want to invest in Bengal, says Ambassador

Stating that West Bengal has witnessed a rapid development in almost all sectors, Alexander Ziegler, Ambassador of France in India, said that he is taking initiative to motivate more French companies 

to invest in the state. He met the state Finance Minister Amit Mitra in Nabanna on Friday and said this after the meeting which he stated to be a “very successful” one.

Ziegler said that West Bengal is one of the best investment destinations at present. The reason 

being several initiatives were taken for its overall development and to attract investment here.

“I met Mitra and the meeting is a successful one,” he said adding that the state finance minister has invited him to be present in the Bengal Global Business Summit scheduled to be held on January 20, 2017.

“I met the finance minister today (Friday) and would like to meet the Chief Minister on Saturday,” said Ziegler. He said that there are some France companies which are functioning in the state.

“But keeping the present and improved situation in mind, more French companies would like to invest here. Thus, I will have discussion with companies in France so that they will know about the real picture of West Bengal and take initiatives to set up their units here or come forward to make an investment,” he said.

It may be mentioned that this is the third time in the past two months when foreign companies have assured and expressed their willingness to invest in West Bengal.

In July, a Singapore based company, Mandala Capital Limited, had decided to invest Rs 70 crore after entering into a partnership with EFRAC laboratory at Barasat in North 24 Parganas.

Earlier in July, Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) had decided to set up its office in Kolkata keeping in mind the sustainable growth in the economy of the state in the past five years.