Tag: David Cameron

WB CM invites David Cameron to revisit Kolkata

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has invited British Prime Minister David Cameron to revisit Kolkata soon, describing the city “a true getaway to the east”.

“My message for the British PM is that he must visit Kolkata again soon and see that it is truly the gateway to the east,” she said in response to a letter from Mr Cameron apologising for not being able to meet her in London due to his tour of South East Asia.

“I am sorry that my travel plans mean I will not be in London to see you in London…I fondly recall our meeting in Kolkata in November 2013, when we discussed the positive UK-West Bengal bilateral cooperation that exists, and the wealth of trade and investment opportunities this offers,” the British PM had written in his letter dated July 24.

Ms Banerjee highlighted that it was a matter of “destiny” that Britain turns to Kolkata and West Bengal, which she described as a “gateway to Asia”.

“Britain started with Kolkata as its business capital (during the Raj) so that is the destination. History repeats itself and it is destiny that British business should expand to Kolkata,” she said.

Asked how the West Bengal capital compares to London, the Trinamool Congress leader said both cities have their own identity but there are a number of similarities.

“As I have been walking around I see a lot of similarities in architecture and road names. They have Queen Victoria’s statue, we have Victoria Memorial. London is an expensive city but Kolkata is not. It is a soft, soothing, cheap city. London is pollution-free and we are fast moving towards a cleaner, greener city,” she said.

Walking has been central theme of the chief minister’s visit to the UK, as she prefers to explore London mostly by foot in her trademark white sari and flip-flops.

Asked if she would revisit the British capital, she said: “I will definitely come back. This has been a very fruitful business meet. The perception of Bengal has changed today. It is set to become the industrial hub of India. The size of investments will become clear over time but 21 MoUs have been signed, which is a very positive sign.”

“Today the world is a united family and we must walk together,” she said.

Wish you a successful visit to UK: David Cameron to Mamata Banerjee

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UK PM David Cameron, who could not be in London because of a foreign visit, sent a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee on Monday apologising for his absence.

“I fondly recall our meeting in Kolkata in November 2013 when we discussed the positive UK-West Bengal bilateral cooperation that exists and the wealth of trade and investment opportunities this offers. I am delighted that you will be visiting London to see these opportunities first hand. I am sorry that due to my travel plans I will not be in London to see you in person. I wish you a successful and rewarding visit which will help forge the close ties between UK and Bengal,” reads an excerpt from the letter.

Interestingly, it was Mr Cameron who first invited Mamata to the UK. In 2013, during his first term as PM, Cameron had made a stop to the Indian Institute of Management, Joka (IIM-Joka) and interacted with students for nearly an hour.

WB CM was received by minister Priti Patel, minister of state for employment at the department for work and pensions.

Commenting on the personal letter from Cameron, WB CM tweeted: “21 MoU’s are a good sign of Britain’s partnership with Bengal. I thank him for his good wishes.”

 

The image is from 2013 when PM Cameron met WB CM in Kolkata

Industrialists hopeful of CM’s London visit

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Industrialists in the state have pinned immense hope in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to London end of July which is aimed at inviting investment from industrialists of Europe.

On the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron, the West Bengal Chief Minister is leaving for London on July 27 along with a delegation of West Bengal Finance, Industries and Commerce Minister Dr Amit Mitra, senior government officials, industrialists – Sanjeev Goenka, Karan Paul to name a few – and three of her party MPs, Dev, Sugata Bose and Derek O’Brien.

“Winds of Change are blowing in West Bengal under the dynamic leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister. Her forthcoming visit to United Kingdom will prove to be a milestone in putting Bengal in International Radar. The visit of UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2013, the first ever visit of any UK Prime Minister in Bengal itself raised the bars – the significance, Bengal now commands globally. Bengal which has a long historic association, relation and affinity with Britain will immensely benefit from this visit. There are many areas to embrace such as Infrastructural Development, Tourism, Education, River front beautification etc which can bring a radical change in Bengal. London known for its historic legacies is brimful of heritage buildings and edifices. The technology and knowhow adopted towards its restoration can be assimilated in maintenance of our Heritage Buildings. Modern London is also bustling with latest technological innovations and implementation which can pave the way for our infrastructural growth,” Sanjay Budhia, eminent industrialist of Kolkata, who is likely to accompany the Chief Minister said in a statement.

Echoed Harsh Neotia, another eminent industrialist, who is also going with the Chief Minister. ” The visit will play a big role in creating interest among foreign investors about West Bengal and the investment opportunities here,” Neotia told Echo of India. Prior to London, Mamata visited Singapore where she invited industrialists of that country to invest in West Bengal.

Hinduja praises WB CM’s industry initiatives

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Gopichand Hinduja has heaped praise on West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee for her determination to attract industry in Bengal.

In an interview to a popular daily, he said WB CM “is trying hard to attract industry and investment to her state.”

“She is a good leader and has a clean image. I am certain she will become Chief Minister again after this term ends. Her intentions are clear – she wants to attract industry into Bengal,” he added.

Hinduja, who has a strong foothold in Bengal with the presence of Ashok Leyland, Hinduja Leyland finance and IndusInd Bank, had encouraging words for finance minister Dr Amit Mitra as well. “The finance minister knows how reforms can benefit the state,” he said.

“Mamata Banerjee is one of India’s prominent political leaders. Prime Minister David Cameron must meet her,” he added.

In fact, WB CM could become the first high level politician from India to meet David Cameron after his recent reelection as Britain’s PM.

WB CM will be in UK from July 26-30. This will be her second foreign visit as the chief minister of Bengal.

Didi wishes David Cameron with a hand-written note

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West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has sent a hand-written congratulatory note to David Cameron after he returned to 10 Downing Street for his second term as Britain’s prime minister.

The gesture – WB CM was the only head of an Indian state to congratulate Mr Cameron – is expected to go a long way in strengthening ties between Britain and Bengal.

When WB CM arrives in Britain on July 26, she will also become the first chief minister from India to hold a bilateral meeting with Cameron in his second term. It will be Mamata Banerjee’s second business trip, and her first to UK, since taking over office.

The British Prime Minister, who met Ms Mamata Banerjee during his Kolkata trip in 2013, had personally invited the CM.

“Kolkata is expanding and there is huge need for infrastructure development and town planning in which Britain has tremendous expertise. You also need to clean up your rivers and waterways, just like we had to do with the Thames,” David Cameron had said.