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Bengal

Investment proposals worth Rs2.19L cr: CM

Mamata thanks captains of industry for their overwhelming response to 4th edition of Bengal Global Business Summit.

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed great satisfaction over the investment proposal worth Rs 2.19 lakh crore that has come in the fourth edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) on Wednesday.
In 2017, it had fetched business proposals worth Rs 2.35 lakh crore. The fifth edition of the BGBS will be held on February 7 and 8, 2019. The world business summit will be held on February 7 while the business conclave will be held the next day on February 8.
Banerjee said it is good that businessmen from India and abroad have shown a keen interest in Bengal. "We cannot survive without you. When you go back, tell your businessmen friends to come to Bengal and invest here as it is the future destination," she said.
She further added that 110 Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) were signed between various state government departments and Jadavpur University with Indian and foreign business groups. There were also 40 B2G meetings. "I am proud of my bureaucrats and businessmen who always guide us. In case of any help, get in touch with them. We will try our best to help you," she maintained.
Mamata Banerjee said Bengal has a skilled workforce and a huge talent pool and along with that the state government's land policy, land use policy, exports policy, township policies add to the ease of doing business. The state government has the right kind of mindset and transparency and all these have made Bengal the future trade destination.
Recalling Bengal's history, she said there was a time when the state was number 1 in the country in terms of industry, particularly engineering. But over the past 34 years, the growth of Bengal has been badly hit by the misrule of the erstwhile Left Front government. "We are carrying the legacy of a loan burden worth Rs 40,000 crore," she said adding that resurgence in Bengal has taken place and it is No. 1 in ease of doing business in agriculture and MSME sectors.
Foreign delegates from Korea, China, Germany, Italy and other countries have shown interest in the manufacturing sector, Banerjee said.
"Your kind presence made the summit successful. Your kind presence is our inspiration and strength. You are our great assets. We are delighted to know about your vision," she added.
Thanking Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani for his Rs 5,000 crore investment proposals, she said the investments would create a large number of employment opportunities in the state.
"If you calculate all together, with whatever business proposals we have received, employment for more than 20 lakh people will be created," Banerjee said, adding that industries and agriculture were growing hand-in-hand in the state.
Describing the state as "the investment destination", the Chief Minister said it has political stability and labour, talent and a business-friendly environment.
According to her, Bengal is strategically placed for businesses for ASEAN countries, including neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan and the north-eastern states of India.
"Bengal deserves to be a global industrial hub," she told delegates at the summit.
"We are a united and cosmopolitan family. There are no differences on caste and creed. Tolerance is the key," she said.
The Chief Minister also announced that national carrier Air India would commence its services from the Greenfield airport at Andal near Durgapur in the state to Delhi from January 28.
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