CII all set to work with Bengal govt

In an attempt to strengthen the competitiveness of industry in West Bengal, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the country's apex industry body, has vowed to work closely with the state government to bring about a perceptible change in the region.

Umesh Chowdhary, the newly-elected Chairman of CII Eastern Region for the year 2017-18, said CII (WB) will focus more on inclusive and sustainable growth and upheld the formation of Brand Bengal Marketing Corporation as a path-breaking initiative led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"CII will step up its activities in strengthening competitiveness of industry in West Bengal to align with global imperatives and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth of the state," said Chowdhary, who is also the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Titagarh Wagons Limited.

"West Bengal will always be special for CII, whose journey began in Kolkata more than 120 years ago. We are keen to work closely with the state government, which has been working tirelessly to make Bengal a leader in the industrial space," said Chowdhary, while praising the Biswa Bangla Brand.

The Biswa Bangla Brand, which is an initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, represents Bengal — its art, craft, and culture.

"Both Biswa Bangla Brand and Brand Bengal Marketing Corporation have been working wonderfully. CII would like to work with the state government to make Bengal a global brand," added Chowdhary, who was recently awarded 'Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite' (Knight of the National Order of Merit), one of the highest civilian orders awarded to a foreign national by the French Republic in recognition of one's outstanding contribution to the bilateral ties between India and France in the economic area.

The CII Eastern Region Chairman also shed light on CII's Indian Women Network (IWN) West Bengal that was launched lastweek. The target groups are either students or faculty in educational institutions or members of the industry. Independent professionals and entrepreneurs are also IWN's stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Jagi Mangat Panda, Deputy Chairperson of CII Eastern Region, believes that the region is a reservoir of opportunities. "East has the advantages to have low wages , skilled labour force, good rail-road-port connectivity, fertile agro-climatic zone, and ultra-rich mineral deposits, which could significantly contribute to the country's pursuit to increase the share of manufacturing in its GDP growth," said Panda, who is also the Managing Director of Ortel Communications Limited.

Panda, who is an Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad alumnus, was awarded and recognised as the 'Young Global Leader' at World Economic Forum in 2008.