Mamata to inaugurate business conclave today
Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate a two-day business conclave at the newly constructed Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Digha in East Midnapore on Wednesday.
MSME, WBIDC is organising the conclave in which representatives of nearly 35 foreign countries are likely to attend .
A senior official of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) said that some of the major sectors that have been identified for cooperation include Manufacturing, Industry, Trade & Services, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport & Logistics, Tourism, Agriculture & Allied Services.
Apart from city based industrialists, some of the captains of the industry in the country are also expected to be present at the event. International participants from neighbouring countries, partner countries/states/cities, international chambers, large industries, MSMEs, chambers and associations will be present at the conclave.
Representatives from Poland and Czech Republic have shown interest in coal blocks of Deocha Pachami in Birbhum, and France has shown interest in sales and marketing of handicrafts of Bengal.
A senior WBIDC official on conditions of anonymity said that the Power department may seek cooperation from Poland for sharing technical knowhow in the power sector while partnership may be sought from France in the area of small and cottage industry.
The state's GDP growth of 12.58 percent in 2018-19 against the national growth of around 5.5 percent may encourage investment in the state.
"We have taken significant steps for the Ease of Doing Business and the government will always extend all possible assistance to industrialists for investment in Bengal," the official said.
The inaugural session will begin at 2 pm and the first day of the conclave will conclude with a cultural programme. The second day will begin with business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings in the morning. The concluding session will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will include presentations on sectoral opportunities in the state.
The convention seeks to focus on regional cooperation and strengthening ties with partner countries, states and cities.
It will bring together distinguished dignitaries, top corporate units, thought leaders and senior diplomats.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had inaugurated the convention centre in New Digha during one of her administrative meeting on August 20, this year.
The centre has facilities for organising international conventions, exhibitions and business meets to promote tourism, commerce, trade and industry in the state's coastal areas.
The convention centre has a seating capacity of 970 people and a hotel adjoining the centre has 65 rooms.
