October 6, 2015
We discussed various areas of Bhutan-Bengal collaboration: Mamata Banerjee
On the the first day of her visit to Bhutan, West Bengal Chief Minister held meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan and attended the India-Bhutan Business Conclave.
Here is the full Facebook post by the West Bengal Chief Minister:
“On the invitation of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, I have come to Thimphu today.
My colleagues Gautam Deb, Aroop Biswas, Chief Secretary and senior officials of the state government have accompanied me.
I had a meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister where we discussed at length various areas of Bhutan-Bengal collaboration and other important issues.
The talks were very cordial and positive. I invited the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in Kolkata during 8th and 9th January, 2016. I also requested him to send a delegation from Bhutan to the North Bengal Business Summit to be held on 19th November, 2015.
Later in the evening a Business Conclave participated by a high-level delegation from ICC and captains of industry and business of Bhutan was held.
We deliberated on the prospects of Bhutan-Bengal business possibilities. We shared with them the achievements of our government in the economic front and the ease of doing business in Bengal.
I have mentioned setting up of dedicated business corridor with Bhutan and other neighbouring countries through extensive development of road connectivity.
I have also mentioned about development of economic and transport corridor linking Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal. A Protocol on this will soon be signed in West Bengal.
For the land-locked country like Bhutan, it will open connectivity with Bangladesh through India/Bengal which can boost trade and commerce. It will also give to the people of Bhutan greater access to healthcare and education opportunities in Bengal and beyond and flourish tourism opportunities.
It was an excellent session with positive ideas and exchanges. This will pave way for greater economic co-operation and more business opportunities between Bengal and Bhutan in the coming days.
My best wishes to everyone.“
