Statistics show Bengal growing faster than other States: WB FM

Statistics show Bengal growing faster than other States: WB FM

Posted on November 26, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Finance and Industry Minister Dr Amit Mitra laid forth several macroeconomic statistics that highlight the current developmental progress of the State.

He was speaking at the celebration of Bengal Day at the International Trade Fair in Delhi.

Dr Mitra said that according to NSO’s reports prepared with a base of the 2004-05 GDP, in 2014-15 West Bengal has elevated herself from many of the States.

According to Central Government figures, the rate of growth of GDP in Maharashtra being 5.66%, that of Rajasthan being 5.75%, Uttar Pradesh being 6%, Telengana being 5.35%, Karnataka being 7.05% and Punjab being 5.32%, West Bengal registered a growth of 7.15%.

In case of industrial growth, West Bengal is ahead than many of the States. The rate of growth being 4.36% in Karnataka, 4.01% in Maharashtra, 2.02% in Punjab, 3% in Rajasthan and 3.64% in Tamil Nadu, Bengal has an industrial growth rate of 5.05%.

The West Bengal Finance Minister informed that the developmental growth has been made possible in spite of the loan of Rs 87,000 crores made from the market in the last four years. He also stressed on the point that Rs 82,000 crores have been spent by the State to repay loan and interest made by the past Left Government.

The State Finance Minister stated that prior to 2011, there was only 50% electrification covering the households of the state and within four years 93% households could be provided with power supply.

He also stated that for irrigation purpose, prior to 2011, 1.10 lakh electric pump sets were used, the number of which rose to 2.65 lakh by 2015. He also stated that Bengal has instituted the Integrated Financial Management System, which no other State could yet implement.

IIM Calcutta to associate with State MSME Dept for ‘Egiye Bangla’

Posted on November 16, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal government is planning to focus on encouraging start-ups. As the first step, a television show has been lined up with a prominent channel which will be hosted by former skipper and Bengal’s icon Sourav Ganguly. The Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) will join hands with the state to identify prospective start up entrepreneurs through the programme.

As one of the top B-schools in the country, IIM-C will also help the winners set up incubation facilities inside the innovation park on campus. The seed funding for the business plans identified as having prospects in future will be given by the MSME department.

More than 1,500 applications from across the state have been received. One of the criterion for selection was that the applicant needed to be based in Bengal. A business proposal that has been implemented and has an existing unit not more than three years old can also apply. The applications will be evaluated by a team comprising faculty members from IIM-C, along with industrialists. Those shortlisted will be asked to demonstrate the business proposal in person before the panel of judges. A final list of participants will then be drawn up.

In the show –Egiye Bangla -participants will showcase their business plans on which they will be judged by a panel consisting of members from the business fraternity.

Participants can make business proposals on any industry apart from gambling, tobacco, liquor, explosives and fire arms. The parameters on which the applicants will be judged will include novelty of the business plan. Any other existing company which may have implemented a similar business idea will also be judged. The idea of the show is to offer a platform to budding entrepreneurs.

In 2013, the MSME department and IIM-C had signed an agreement during the synergy meet, where the B-school agreed to be a knowledge partner in the entire journey of Shilpa Karun Bangla Gorun. Egiye Bangla is the culmination of a combined effort.

Youths from Bengal prefer to go outside the state for their higher education. People here do not take entrepreneurship as a feasible option. Historically, we prefer desk jobs or a stable job with the government sector over taking the adventurous route in career. Hence, IIM-C wanted to collaborate with the state government to inculcate aspirations among the youth, bringing entrepreneurship in as another option apart from the regular jobs.

The reality show is scheduled to be telecast from December.

WB CM invites industry captains for Bengal Global Business Summit 2016

Posted on November 10, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the annual Bijoya Sammilani where she invited the industry captains of the State to be a part of the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in January 8 and 9, 2016.

At the programme, the West Bengal Chief Minister also urged the foreign investors to invest in the State. The Chief Minister, on her visit to UK and Bhutan had already invited the industrialists to attend the Business Summit.

The 2015 Global Business Summit was a huge success. The proposed investment was of a mind-boggling Rs 2.43 lakh crore. Also, investments were not only sought and received for brick-and-mortar industries but for the crucial human resource development sector. The two-day event drew nearly a 1000 delegates, from across India and 20 other countries.

Speaking on the recent political events, she opines that shed desired for a stronger federal structure of the country.

China keen to enhance economic activity with Bengal

Posted on November 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Chinese government has expressed keen interest in enhancing economic activity with West Bengal as the state is both economically and geographically close to China, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

The Chief Minister said that the Vice-President also expressed a desire to cooperate with the state government in developing infrastructure in West Bengal.

She was talking to reporters after a meeting with Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao. He led a delegation of Chinese ministers and officials at the venue of the meeting at Eco-Park on the outskirts of the city.

The leaders discussed a range of issues – from increasing economic activity and cultural cooperation to tourism during the 45-minute meeting.

The Chief Minister said that she had also invited the Chinese commerce and investment Minster and the business delegation to attend the upcoming Biswa Bangla Business Summit.

“We also discussed setting up of an auto hub here..we will be jointly manufacturing buses. We also discussed enhancing cultural ties between China and Bengal,” she said adding a tourism package for Chinese tourists during Dura Puja had been proposed in the meeting.

Mr Li Yuanchao for his part said that the meeting was fruitful.

Mamata Banerjee most honest politician in India: VP of China

Posted on November 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

A chinese survey has reportedly ranked Mamata Banerjee first among all Indian politicians in terms of honesty. This was reportedly the opening remarks of Chinese Vice-President Li Yuan Chao when he met the chief minister in Kolkata on Thursday evening, said state Finance and Industries Minister Dr Amit Mitra.

Dr Mitra, who attended the meeting, said: “This was a stimulating accolade from the visiting Chinese dignitary.”

The survey had also reportedly found that the development in Bengal was taking place at a fast pace.

Briefing mediapersons about the meeting held at Eco Park in New Town-Rajarhat, Dr Mitra said Chao appreciated the development initiative unleashed by Mamata in Bengal and was also aware about the state’s high growth rate.

The leaders discussed a range of issues — from increasing economic activity and cultural cooperation to tourism — during the 45-minute meeting.

WB CM to hold meeting with Chinese Vice President today

Posted on November 5, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the visiting Vice President of China today. The meeting will be held at the Glass House of the Eco Park.

The State today will witness a MoU signing ceremony between the State Government and Chinese bus manufacturer Zhongtong Bus Holding Company which specializes in diverse types of buses and tour coaches.

West Bengal government plans to set up a bus manufacturing unit under the brand name Bengal Zhongtong Ltd at Andal where the new airport has come up in which. The State Government is likely to have share in the company. The State Government promises to buy a major part of its fleet from this joint venture company.

On Thursday, the MoU is to be signed in which both The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao would be present.

Japanese team scouts Howrah for possible investments

Posted on November 3, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

A high-level Japanese team had a meeting with the State officials at Nabanna, for developmental association and possible investment opportunities in the district of Howrah.

The potential for revival of industries in Howrah was surveyed by this team from Japan’s Yokohama. The team also prioritized waste management in the town as a major business possibility for Japanese firms.

The team led by Yoko Mijoama and later met the Howrah Mayor, the Howrah Municipal Corporation commissioner and HMC’s trade development zone vice chairman.

Later, they left for a launch ride on the Hooghly from Ramkrishnapur Ghat to Belur. The team was also shown the closed Nisco factory and a 250-acre vacant plot in Liluah where HMC plans to set up new industries. The Japanese delegation is also planning to transfer technological know-how and study viability of different industries in Howrah.

The Yokohama Municipality wants to infuse modern Japanese technology to revive Howrah’s MSME industries. They are impressed with the cheap skilled labour available here. The project will also involve setting up facilities for training our workers. The Japanese will also create the support systems for marketing the output from the revived industries.

Besides small and medium manufacturing units, the project will provide assistance for promotion of water transport in Howrah. The grant will also help upgrade the Serampore water treatment plant and set up a 100mgd water treatment plant at Ghusuri. Beautification of the riverfront between Botanic Garden and Belur is also on the cards.

50% subsidy for new MSME industry in Coochbehar: WB CM

Posted on November 3, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee batted for Cooch Behar as a possible investment destination urging “industry friends“and invest in this far-flung district. The Chief Minister promised the investors of all help and announced a 50% subsidy to the small-scale industry sector in the district.

Addressing a public meeting in Gumanihat in Cooch Behar’s Mathabhanga sub-division, the Chief Minister said, “Children from Cooch Behar go to Delhi to do some intricate gold jewellery work, they go to Rajasthan to do stone sculptures. Such works have opportunities here too. I will urge my industry friends with folded hands to please come and invest here. I will provide whatever you seek for it. But, please work in these far-flung districts. Please work and generate jobs.“

The State Government has been urging investors to lay stress on MSME. In near future, a business conclave for north Bengal is scheduled to be held. The Chief Minister in her recent visit to Bhutan had invited a Bhutanese delegation to attend the said conclave.

New MSME Industrial City coming up in Bengal

Posted on October 29, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that a 200-acre MSME Industrial City was being set up in Howrah district to boost the state’s micro, small and medium enterprises sector.

“You will be happy to know that more than 50,000 micro, small and medium enterprises have been set up in the state in the last four years with employment of about 4.5 lakh people.

To give further boost to the sector, a joint venture between Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles and Howrah Municipal Corporation in a 200 acre MSME industrial city, named as “Belur Shilpa Tirtha” is being developed in Belur, Howrah,” she posted on her Facebook page.

The venue will have state-of-the-art industrial park for all kinds of manufacturing activities and a world class logistics hub; with requisite social infrastructure for housing, education, healthcare and recreation/entertainment, she added.

The image is representative

WB CM to hold meeting with Chinese delegation on November 5

Posted on October 26, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

A Chinese delegation comprising senior ministers and dignitaries will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee on 5 November and explore the potential for Chinese investment in the state.

Earlier, this year, State industry minister Dr Amit Mitra visited China and showcased the development in infrastructure and power situation of the state which is necessary for investment. A Chinese delegation may attend the Bengal Business Summit in January 2016.

The Chief Minister is going on a three-day tour to North Bengal starting from 2 November and on her return from North Bengal on 5 November, she would meet the Chinese delegation. She would go to Mal, Cooch Behar and Jaigoan – to hold meetings on public distribution system and will also hold administrative meetings in Jaigoan, near Bhutan border.

Recently a seven-member team from Singapore met state urban development officials and showed interest in various smart city projects, especially that of New Town.

The State Government has asked the delegation to see if they could form a consortium to assist the government for the smart city projects. The state is also planning to stage a road show in Singapore to promote the smart city projects.

Before going to North Bengal, the Chief Minister would visit Junglemahal for three days starting from 28 November. Her regular visits to the Hills and Junglemahal have helped to restore peace in the areas.’

The West Bengal Chief Minister had earlier said that she would begin her dream project “Sabuj Sathi’ distribution of cycles to all school children.”I will start the pilot project from Bandowan in Purulia just before the Jaggadhatri Puja. Earlier, we used to distribute cycles to minority, schedule caste and schedule tribe girl students but now the cycles will be distributed to all students,’ she added.