Darjeeling: State Finance, Industries and MSME minister Amit Mitra announced that the target investment amount set for North Bengal is to the tune of Rs 6000 crore with focus being given to North Bengal in the forthcoming Biswa Bangla Global Summit in February next year.
Mitra in his address at the inaugural session of the 6th North Bengal Conclave in Siliguri stated: "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always focused on North Bengal. During our tenure Rs 1800 crore has already been invested. Another Rs 2700 crore of investment is in the pipeline. Our target is Rs 6000 crore."
He stated that there is immense prospect for investors especially in the MSME sector in North Bengal. "In North Bengal, investments can be made to develop logistic hubs, pharmaceuticals, food processing in the Hills along with IT and Textiles. The government will develop the necessary infrastructure if there are considerable number of investors," he maintained.
He stated that as per the direction of the Chief Minister, North Bengal will be highlighted in the Biswa Bangla Global Summit in Kolkata in February 2019. North Bengal will be getting a global exposure as investors from all over the world will be present for the Summit," stated Mitra.
The minister further directed the Industries, MSME and other related industries to send him monthly reports on the progress related to setting up of new industries, investments, problems being faced by investors and bottlenecks.
"Everything has to be time bound. Officers will have to resolve issues in a time-bound manner," he stressed.
The Minister then took stock of investments already announced by the Chief Minister. He inquired about the progress of work of the industrial estate in Fulbari, industrial hub in Chowbhita, Jalpaiguri along with a similar hub in Balurghat. He also issued instructions that the Industrial Park in Binnaguri, Jalpaiguri, has to be completed in a month's time.
"10 acres of land has been earmarked in Kalimpong where an industrial hub will be set up," he stated.
The focus of the 6th North Bengal Conclave was "Export promotion, Logistics and Investment in North Bengal."
Delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar attended the event.
Mitra appealed to the foreign representatives present in the Summit to invest in North Bengal. "The government will extend all necessary help and cooperation," he assured.