Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of Bangla Silicon Valley hub today. It will be located in Newtown.
This information technology (IT) industry hub has been conceived on the lines of the famous Silicon Valley in USA, and hence the name.
The hub commands a huge 100-acre vista, where national and international IT and IT-enabled service companies are expected to create numerous jobs for people from Bangla. It will also act as a centre of excellence for the IT industry, and will attract some of the biggest names of the world.
Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:
The GDP growth rate of Bangla is 9.15%. We are very much ahead. Even if you see the GVA growth rate – India is 6.5% and Bengal is 9.59%.
Industry sector – India 5.54% and Bengal 16.29% (3 times more). Service sector growth for India is 8.30% and Bengal is growing at 15.61%. In the agriculture sector, India’s growth rate is 2.10% and for Bengal it is 2.28%
Unemployment is a big problem in India. You will be happy to know, as per a report of the Union Ministry of Labour, Bengal’s unemployment has reduced by 40%. The credit must go to my industry friends, small industries, unorganised sector as well as the IT industry.
Sometimes I feel bad that the IT industry is mainly based in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Of course the infrastructure was better there. At that time we were not in power.
We do not believe in coming to power for the love of chair. We believe in power to take care.
Bangalore and Hyderabad have become congested. I urge you to come to Bengal. You will get more talented people. If you invest in Bengal, those who are currently working elsewhere will also come back here.
Our young generation is working across the world. They are very dedicated, devoted, determined and sincere. They need respect, not money. I believe they can deliver any job, better than anybody else.
It was my challenge that we have to conquer the world. That’s why we have started the Silicon Valley hub today. If America has a Silicon Valley, Bangla also will have a second Silicon Valley.
We have 100 acres of land available. Set up your IT industry here. If you require more, I will ask the authorities to keep another 100 acres ready. Whatever we can, we will try our best.
Bangla is the gateway to north east India. You can set up your industry in Darjeeling also. Bangla is also the gateway to Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha are our adjacent states. We are only 3 hours away from Singapore. Bangkok is also 2 hours away.
If you invest here, you can tap into the potential of young students. We can give you more productivity, talent, researchers. I am proud to say, everywhere in the world, you will find a Bengali.
This is your State also. Treat this as your home. Nurture this as your baby. The asset is your working capital. I assure all cooperation from State Government. Consider us as your sweet family.