Bengal ideal investment destination, says Mamata
Digha (East Midnapore): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said investment in Bengal will guarantee a great experience for the investors in stark contrast to the 'gloom and doom' prevailing in some parts of the country.
"I have the scope for readymade business in every nook and corner of the state. You will only have to use this. I will tell you to invest here not for gloom and doom or for loot and scoot but for a smiling situation which will surely ensure a better future for your growth in business. Bengal will emerge as the number one investment destination in the country in the days to come," Banerjee said at the inaugural session of the two-day Bengal Business Conclave at Digha.
She asserted that a leading country has projected the state to be the number one investment destination in the next 20 years and prodded by this, her government has already started an expert survey for identifying sectors for future investment.
Banerjee pointed out that while the country has witnessed the highest unemployment rate in the last 45 years, Bengal has decreased unemployment by 40 percent. Bengal has also made significant strides in poverty alleviation by bringing it down by 6 percent.
The state's GDP growth has been 12.58 percent in 2018-19 which is higher than the country. "India's GDP was 8.97 percent in the second quarter of 2016-17 but it had fallen to 4.55 percent in the second quarter of 2019-20 fiscal," Banerjee said.
According to the Chief Minister, Bengal is the international destination for investment with such diverse tourist spots ranging from the deep sea, the dense forest and the high mountain ranges. "Unity in diversity is our origin and we do not divide people in the name of religion, caste and creed. Bengal is cosmopolitan and does not indulge in discrimination or separatist attitude," she asserted.
Elaborating on her projection of Bengal as a preferred investment destination, she pointed out that the state has ranked first when it comes to the "Ease of Doing Business" that has 187 parametres.
"Bengal is ranked first in bank lending to MSME, in rural connectivity, in 100 days work and in several other areas. We believe that business should be done in a relaxed environment and without any tension. We have accountability, credibility, dedication, efficiency and good governance that are essential elements for an industrialist's brisk business," she said, adding that her government is ready to extend full co-operation and support to those investing in the state.
Banerjee spoke about her government's tremendous development work for the progress of Digha which is now one of the leading tourist destinations of the world. "We have already completed the road for a 7-km marine drive along the Digha sea beach. Two bridges are being constructed and we hope that by April 2020 we would finish the same. A Jagannath temple is also coming up in Digha similar to that of Puri," she added.
Apart from Indian delegates, a delegation from 20 countries across the world including Korea, Singapore, UAE, France, Argentina, Estonia, Thailand, Japan, China, Singapore, Bangladesh and Bhutan also attended the conclave at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Digha.
Minister for Economic Affairs, Bhutan, Loknath Sharma said as a neighbour of Bengal, there is scope for cooperation in the area of manufacturing, marketing, production and tourism.
The Chief Minister announced that the Bengal Global Business Summit 2020 will be held on December 15 and 16 at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town.
