WB Govt to appoint advisors for implementing infra projects

After returning from London, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has stressed on completing all ongoing projects in the state before the end of the financial year. The state finance department is engaging sectoral transaction advisers who will coordinate with different state and municipal level development agencies to help them find private partners to execute the projects on PPP model.

According to Nabanna officials, the finance department wants six transaction advisers for PPP projects in the state for different infrastructure sectors. The most important sector will be physical infrastructure that includes construction and transportation.

Urban (municipal) infrastructure sector includes water supply , treatment and distribution, drainage and sewerage and solid waste management. The third sector is industrial and related infrastructure like area development and commercial development, power and telecommunication infrastructure and the fourth sector is social infrastructure that includes non-construction activities like health, education, environment and ecology .

The state finance department will be the nodal agency for implementation and development of infrastructure projects under the PPP format. Officials said that the sectoral transaction advisers who will be selected will assist the government and state level agencies in executing the projects within a fixed time frame.

 

This is an excerpted version of the story that appeared in The Times of India on August 5, 2015

Bengal shines in London, thanks to the initiatives of WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee truncated her visit to London by a day because of the natural calamities in Bengal. That did not stop the 5-day visit to UK from being a success.

As the Chief Minister had said before leaving on July 25, this visit helped a lot in dispelling myths about West Bengal and gave the State an image-makeover.

 

MoUs signed

The delegation to the UK clinched 21 MoUs with the UK in the fields of industry, health, education and urban development.

The agreements were signed during a bilateral meeting with Britain’s Minister of State for Employment and British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Indian Diaspora champion Priti Patel at a reception hosted at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London on July 26.

 

Image 4

WB CM with delegates at the British Foreign Office

 

“This is a landmark visit… These MoUs will help bring the UK and West Bengal ever closer, and unleash the potential of our relationship,” Patel said in her address.

“If you say London is the (financial) capital of the world, I say Bengal is the human capital of the world,” WB CM said in her address.

Click her for details

Come to Bengal, Ride the growth

Speaking at a gathering of British and Indian business delegates, organised by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), the Finance and Industries Minister Dr Amit Mitra assured British investors that the government has taken steps to bring down the labour strikes to zero levels, as it made a strong case for attracting investments.

“We are setting up systems in place. There has been a radical shift since 2010-11, when 7.6 lakh work days were lost [due to labour strikes]. By 2013, the number of working days lost came down to zero. It takes time for mind-sets to change but please come to Bengal and we can assure very clear worker management processes,” he said.

Click her for details

 

thames

WB CM taking a walk by the Thames

 

Letter from the UK PM

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 wish you a successful and rewarding visit which will help forge the close ties between UK and Bengal,” reads an excerpt from the letter.

“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,” WB CM said in response to the letter.

Click here for details

Reception at Buckingham Palace

Mamata Banerjee on Monday became the first chief minister from an Indian state to get an official reception at Buckingham Palace, Britain’s most iconic address. Prince Andrew hosted an evening tea for the Chief Minister at the house of the monarch.

 

bucking 4

WB CM at Buckingham Palace with Prince Andrew

 

The Chief Minister had a 40-minute one-on-one interview with Prince Andrew, who described her as “a very dynamic leader, leading a dynamic government, sowing the transformation of Bengal”. The prince, it was learnt, has gifted the chief minister a bag with motifs of Buckingham Palace on it.

Click here for details

WB CM wins hearts at Asia House, UK

The West Bengal Chief Minister invited the members of Asia House, London – the probable investors – to come and scout the State for exploring investment opportunities.

She received a standing ovation from the members of the Asia House who admitted that they were mesmerised by her speech and were glad to know about the investment opportunities in Bengal.

 

mamatastoryB

WB CM at Asia House, London

 

“The state is undergoing a major deregulation drive to make doing business in the state easier, faster and more transparent. Upgrading social infrastructure is running parallel to strengthening industrial infrastructure. Attractive incentive packages and regulations have also been introduced to attract investment,” said a note on the Asia House website.

Click her for details

The London trip got a lot of praise from the media too. Here is an article praising the initiatives of Mamata Banerjee to attract investments for Bengal.

Flood situation: WB CM chairs meeting of disaster management group at Nabanna

West Bengal Chief Minister held a meeting with the disaster management committee of the State to review the flood situation in the State. Several officials and ministers of various departments were present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister assigned specific ministers the charge over overseeing relief operations in specific districts. She said that Bengal received excess rainfall this year, over and above the normal. Ruing the fact that no one can control natural calamities, she said the government was taking all precautions in light of the fresh prediction of heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours.

“39 people have died so far in the flood situation due to various reasons like electrocution and snake bites. We have decided to give ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to families of those have lost their lives due to floods,” she announced during a press briefing after the meeting.

“We will carry out a survey of the damages caused to crops and farmlands. We are requesting the Centre to repair National Highways. PWD Dept will take care of State Highways,” she added.

The government had launched an emergency helpline 1070 yesterday for flood relief operations.

Bengal’s best foot forward with Mamata’s London trip

Didi’s London Trip

  • Mamata Banerjee attended an interactive private dinner with UK investors
  • Discussions focused on how to increase UK investment in West Bengal were held
  • UK businessmen voiced their concerns about labour issues, urban development, speed of clearances and approvals
  • MoUs were signed with the University of Cambridge, East Anglia and SOAS

 

The death of India’s much-loved former President APJ Abdul Kalam truncated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s 4-day programme in London. As a mark of respect all public engagements were cancelled.

Mamata Banerjee left London last night, a day ahead of schedule as ‘the possibility of a cyclone’ hitting Bengal loomed.

22 MOU were signed, which covered four areas: industry, healthcare, education and smart cities.

The first day saw 250 people at the business seminar in the afternoon. It was an interactive discussion with the UK and West Bengal businesses asking and answering the questions that emerged.

Those present say businessmen from Bengal did a great job selling the state. Both business and the state government sent out the same positive message. Businessmen from the UK voiced their concerns about labour issues, urban development, speed of clearances and approvals. Their fears were brushed aside by businessmen from Bengal, who assured them that ‘bandhs’ or forced closures were now a thing of the past and this government was serious about business.

 

Image 2

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with UK Minister of State for Education Priti Patel

 

That evening, the event at the Foreign Office was also over-subscribed. The UK Minister of State for Education, Priti Patel, who had met Banerjee in 2013 when she visited Kolkata with the British Prime Minister David Cameron, welcomed her to London and offered continued partnership. The Chief Minister responded with a speech that drew applause, “London is the world’s financial capital, and West Bengal is the world’s human capital.”

One of those present at the meeting says, “It was very personal, showing her love of Bengal and her belief that the UK is the right partner, not least because we have such a strong shared cultural and historical connection.”

 

Wooing UK Investors

 

Image 3

  MoUs and other business documents between UK and Bengal were signed

 

Mamata Banerjee also attended an interactive private dinner with UK investors, hosted by Patricia Hewitt, Chair of the UK India Business Council. It gave the Chief Minister and select members of her team an opportunity to closely interact with UK investors. Banerjee had a proposition for each of the UK businesses that attended. A plan was drawn up to further develop these relationships.

Interestingly, a potential British investor was heard saying at the dinner that night, “Until today, West Bengal was not a priority area in India for us, but it is now.”

Kevin McCole, UK India Business Council’s Chief Operating Officer points out:

“Although the shortened programme meant there was only one full day of activity, it was a hugely impactful day. The Chief Minister, by bringing such a strong business delegation, has set the bar high for other Indian states looking to attract investors. And the highly interactive nature of the business conference – no speeches and no powerpoint – has redrawn the model for how these events are delivered. UK investors were impressed by her can-do attitude. They were also impressed by the message the Chief Minister gave in her speech at the evening event. It was full of passion, compassion, humility and humour.”

 

There was also a focused round table, led by the Industries Secretary and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), Managing Director on the mining and natural resources sector. Ten current and potential UK investors held a discussion, which focused on how to increase UK investment into the state. Among the subjects discussed, was the need to create a UK-WB public private partnership mining engineering training institute, another was modifications to the Government of India’s public procurement processes to make it more commercially viable for companies to set up in India to service the market.

 

MoUs with UK Universities

 

Image 4

Exchanges on investment and other collaborations between United Kingdom and Bengal were held

 

On the education front too, there was a sense of satisfaction. MoUs were signed with the University of Cambridge, East Anglia and SOAS . Presidency University’s Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia was overwhelmed with the support she received from the state government, “Our CM would like to make Bengal an education hub and create a huge resource of skilled manpower.”

“Mamata di’s ability to connect with every member of the delegation was exemplary. She was constantly chatting with all of us during the flight, looking after everyone’s food and comfort while conducting her business. She is an amazing walker.She walked constantly at Kolkata and Delhi airports. She walked 10 to 12 kms every morning, often leaving her companions trailing far behind. Inexhaustible, full of affection, energetic and enthusiastic.”

 

Once she returns, the Chief Minister and her team will have to work doubly hard.

“The stage has now been set for more UK investments in Bengal. But it will require follow up by both parties, and we hope that a further delegation from West Bengal in the autumn will generate a strong return delegation to Kolkata for the investors summit in January.”

 

Bengal certainly seems to have put its best foot forward. Now it needs to take brisk steps and regain lost ground.

 

(The writer, Payal Mohanka, is a Kolkata-based senior journalist. The article was first published on The Quint, July 30, 2015)

A musical museum to come up soon in Bengal

One of Asia’s biggest museums on musical instruments will soon come up in Bengal. Mamata Banerjee and her delegation have tied up with Britain’s iconic Horniman Museum to set up a museum of musical instruments in Bengal.

Horniman has the world’s most exhaustive collection of instruments from across the world. It houses over 8,000 objects made to produce sound.

The oldest is a pair of bone clappers in the form of human hands made in Egypt around 3,500 years ago. Electric guitars and synthesizers are among the most recently acquired.

Bengal Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra said on Wednesday they “discussed the plan to set up a musical instrument in Kolkata. This museum will house a large collection of musical instruments from Bengal. The state’s efforts to pre serve folk art and its musical instruments in Bengal were shared with the museum. The musical instruments gallery at Biswa Bangla Haat in Rajarhat could be the starting point of this collaboration.”

 

Image: Horniman Museum in London (source)

Biswa Bangla to be part of the London Design Festival this year

It will be a Bengal summer at one of Britain’s most revered museums next year – the Victoria and Albert Museum. Bengal’s stunning textiles and designs will form part of V&A’s spring summer festival in April 2016. Biswa Bangla will be part of the London Design Festival this year from September 19 to 27.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is going big on Indian fabrics. ‘The Fabric of India’, being held at V&A from October 3 2015, to January 10, 2016, will be the first exhibition to fully explore the incomparably rich world of handmade textiles from India.

Biswa Bangla is a single umbrella organization showcasing and promoting all handloom and handicraft products of West Bengal. It is an initiative to address the issues that impact our heritage and the livelihoods of thousands of traditional craftsmen and weavers by improving the visibility and growth of the handloom and handicrafts sector and directly benefiting the weavers and artisans.

The Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles of the Government of West Bengal has begun working to improve the quality of life of handloom weavers and craftspersons and advance cross-cultural understanding through the identification, documentation, preservation, and presentation of the traditional arts of the state of West Bengal.

WB Govt launches emergency helpline number 1070 for flood situation

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today reached Kolkata at 4:30 PM IST. Without wasting any time, she conducted a meeting with the Home Secretary and other senior officials at the airport itself.

The Chief Minister said that 26000 people have been shifted to relief camps so far. “Our priority is to provide relief to stranded people and carry on with rescue operations,” she added.

The government has launched an emergency helpline number. People can call 1070 for any information related to the relief operations.

Highlights of WB CM’s press briefing at Dumdum airport:

  • I met senior officials at airport itself. I took stock of the flood situation in the State from Home Secretary
  • I cut short my London visit due of the flood situation and impending cyclone. Dr Mitra and other officials are in London for meetings
  • We have dispatched relief materials to the affected areas. We are taking all measures to stand by the side of people
  • No one can control nature. We feel saddened at the losses due to heavy rains. Our priority is to provide relief to stranded people and carry on with rescue operations
  • Many houses and farm lands have been affected due to heavy rains. We will do everything possible to help people
  • We are monitoring the situation. District administration has been alerted. People in coastal areas must be careful

 

Tweets of WB CM from Dumdum airport:

WB CM wins hearts of investors at Asia House, London

The West Bengal Chief Minister invited the members of Asia House, London – the probable investors – to come and scout the State for exploring investment opportunities. She asserted that during the last four years, the infrastructure in the State has become business-friendly in comparison to the past years.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted the economic advantages of West Bengal and investment opportunities in the state during a private briefing held at Asia House.

The topics discussed included infrastructure development in the state, incentives for foreign businesses to invest, the state’s relationship with the Centre, efforts to cut bureaucracy and tackle corruption, the state’s workforce and West Bengal’s historic ties with the UK.

“I am not from a business background, I am a street fighter. You know better, Bengal is ready for investment. Perception of Bengal has to change and is changing. That is why I am here in London to meet you,” the West Bengal Chief Minister said at the meet.

She received a standing ovation from the members of the Asia House who admitted that they were mesmerised by her speech and were glad to know about the investment opportunities in Bengal.

The Corporate members represented at the table included Anglo American, KPMG, Barclays, Nikkei, BP, PA Consulting, PwC and Standard Chartered. The private briefing was held in partnership with KPMG.

Prominent UK industrialist keen to set up sports car hub in Bengal

Prominent UK investor Lord Swraj Paul-led Caparo Group may set up a compact sports car manufacturing unit in the state.

With West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee by his side, Lord Paul said on Wednesday that his company is looking forward to integrating its auto ancillary business. Currently the group is working on the design of a low-end sports car for the Indian and Asian market.

The Caparo group has business interests in the manufacturing and marketing of car bodies, steel sheets and other auto engineering products. “This project is currently at the R&D stage. We have entrusted British Formula One giant McLaren with its design. If all goes well, India would be the place where I plan to set up its manufacturing base,” Paul said.

When asked, if Bengal would be his preferred choice, Paul replied: “West Bengal would certainly have the first rights of refusal.”

WB CM’s accordion jam enthralls Hyde Park

For Polish resident Ewan, sitting under the shade of a 100-year-old oak tree at Hyde Park is a lonely trade. The 54-year-old from Bucharest came to London for a living. Hail or storm, he meticulously arrives every day at London’s iconic park at 10am to play his accordion.

Mesmerised walkers, runners and lovers strolling through the park drop in a few shillings that all add up to an amount that decides the fate of Ewan’s dinner at the end of the day . But Wednesday turned to become extra special for this immigrant from Poland.

Mamata Banerjee, who was on her customary morning walk wearing a simple white sari with a slate blue border and white slippers, followed by a bunch of officials, MPs, journalists and a couple of security guards, noticed Ewan playing away an East European number.

The Chief Minister stopped in her steps and made a sharp turn towards Ewan’s bench.

Ewan looked up as she asked: “Where are you from?” Ewan, not used to people stopping for a chat, was at first startled. A shy smile followed, indicating he wasn’t very well versed in English. He shot back with a quick question in broken English:”Are you from India?”

“Yes,” came the reply. A thrilled Ewan then decided to play her the famous Raj Kapoor score ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’.

The gesture left Mamata Banerjee thrilled. Much to everyone’s amazement, she asked him: “Can I play your instrument while you hold it?”

What followed was an im promptu jam by the chief minister on an instrument that demands tremendous skill. Mamata, who knows how to play the keyboards, then went on to play ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’. The performance amazed even the professional Ewan.

“It was like a cultural exchange between the two countries,” Mamata Banerjee said. “He played me a song, so I decided to play him one to show respect,” the Chief Minister added.

 Click here to listen to Mamata Banerjee play the accordion

 

The article was first published in The Times of India on 30.07.2015