Mamata arrives in London, hopes to woo investors

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee landed in London on Monday, seeking to woo foreign investment for West Bengal.

Banerjee’s five-day visit started with a briefing by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Ranjan Mathai, followed by a reception hosted by Prince Andrew, the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment, at Buckingham Palace.

“Just landed in London with <g data-gr-id="36">business</g> delegation from Bengal. Greetings to the people of this great nation,” Banerjee tweeted.

After the reception, Banerjee headed towards the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Indian Diaspora Champion and UK employment minister Priti Patel.

The two leaders were expected to sign a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the UK government and West Bengal. The subjects likely to be covered include industry, health, urban development and higher education.

Meanwhile, British PM Cameron through a letter thanked Banerjee for her UK visit. “The proposed signature of over 20 Memorandums of Understanding between the UK and West Bengal during your visit is a clear reflection of our positive relationship in a number of areas,” said the British PM in his letter, adding that “I am sorry that my travel plans mean I will not be in London to see you in person.”     

The letter said, “Our relationship with India is a priority for the UK, and we look forward to welcoming your Prime Minister to the UK later this year.”   

The academic exchange programmes between the University of Cambridge and Presidency University, Kolkata, in the field of Arts and Humanities and between London-based School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Presidency for the study of Bengali language form the centrepiece of the education sector MoUs.

In the health sector, the Institute of Health and Family Welfare, government of West Bengal, and the UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners were also expected to strike a technical support deal for post-graduate diploma courses on family medicine in West Bengal and technical collaboration on making New Town Kolkata a smart city will dominate the urban development arena.

Banerjee was accompanied by a 62-member delegation, including business chiefs from the Federation Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as well as state cabinet ministers and MPs.

The UK media has been blocked from the MoU signing event while the media delegation travelling with the chief minister has been allowed access.