MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote ‘Make in Bengal’

City-based industry body MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday said it would help promote “Make in Bengal” and would engage a consultant to prepare a detailed roadmap for the purpose.

“There had been a severe talent drain from Bengal. We want to focus on Make in Bengal in whatever possible way to bring them back. First, we will debate what is possible and then we will engage a consultant to give a detailed perspective report on a roadmap in that direction,” MCC Chamber of Commerce’s newly-appointed president Hemant Bangur said.

“SME provide the highest employment per Crore Rupee of capital employed. They are having the highest rate of economic value addition (EVA). Given the global economic slowdown, the possibility of attracting large investment in the state at this juncture is not very likely, hence our aim to develop a blue print to help accelerate development of SME sector in our state and region,” Bangur said.

However, Bangur, who is also the chairman of Gloster Limited, Joonktollee tea and Industries Ltd said, the expansion of Brownfield project can be good alternative. “Currently, we have to wait till the recession is over but by then we have to think 

on a conducive environment for Brownfield expansions,” he said.

On Goods and Services Tax (GST), the MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, the service sector is one of the key drivers of national and state level economy. The introduction of GST will structurally alter the way business is done. “We are against the principal of heavy multiple cess,” Bangur added.

He also said, “The recent announcement by Sajjan Jindal to invest Rs 3400 crore in Salbani will positive news for the industrial growth in Bengal. We would be happier if their investment on steel plant would happen. We are going to write to the state government to express our opinion about industry and land policies. We would also internally analyse the situation and will ask the consultant to analyse the industrial situation in the state.

Reacting to the land issue, Bangur said the government should take a pragmatic view of land and land ceiling. “Now, the situation is different from what it was 15-20 years ago when rural population was completely dependent on agriculture but now it is not the same,” Bangur said.