Day 1 Highlights: Bengal Global Business Summit 2017

Posted on January 20, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The first day of the Bengal Global Business Summit 2017 received accolades from the President of India on Bengal emerging as an investment destination.

11 AM: The day started with former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly making an impassioned appeal to investors to tap into the potential of Bengal. It was followed by an AV presentation on the investment opportunities in the State.

11:30 AM: Various captains of industries (YP Modi, Sanjeev Goenka, Kishore Biyani, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Pankaj Munjal) shared their experience of running businesses in Bengal.

Sanjeev Goenka announced investment worth Rs 10000 crore in Bengal over the next few years in FMCG sector. Rakesh Bharti Mittal announced investment worth Rs 3-4000 crore more in Bengal in the next three years. YK Modi announced investments close to one billion rupees in coal bed methane project in Bengal in the next 6 years. TCG Chairman Purnendu Chatterjee announced investments close to Rs 1000 crore for HPL expansion. Hero Motors Group Chairman & MD Pankaj Munjal announced announced investments close to Rs 450 crore for cycle manufacturing.

GAIL has also decided invest Rs 6000 Crore in Bengal in the next 2-3 years including gas pipeline project.

12:00 PM: This was followed by the address by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Read her full speech here.

12:30 PM: During the plenary session, the Hon’ble President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, congratulated the Chief Minister for moving ahead despite legacies of the past. He hoped when the delegates will be go back, they will be taking a part of Bengal back with them. Bengal has truly emerged as an investment destination; the presence of so many delegates is a proof of it, he said.

He later tweeted:

“Bengal Global Business Summit showcases investment opportunities in West Bengal. Growth in State GDP and revenue buoyancy of West Bengal has been impressive. Large participation in the forum, including from 29 countries shows level of interest in West Bengal amongst investors.”

1:00 PM: Delegates from partner countries and other foreign delegates graced the stage and shared their views on the opportunities for business ties with Bengal.

3 PM: The second half of the first day witnessed a Plenary Session on Start Ups and Entrepreneurship. Startups that were present in the session included big names like Naukri and Foodpanda. The session was moderated by Mohandas Pai. Five home-grown startups of Bengal were showcased in the session.

During the session, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Government wants to encourage startups but we must ensure the money does not reach only a select few. There must be privacy in data bank, she said. Whatever business people are doing, it must be fully protected, she said. The Government wants young entrepreneurs to come up and work for the betterment of the people, she said.

Bengal Finance and Industry Minister, while speaking at the session stressed on critical thinking and innovation that is bankable. “Be a startup, be disruptive, but how do you engage common people, how do you include them into mainstream,” he asked the entrepreneurs present in the hall. He asked the people not take a job, but be an entrepreneur and create jobs. “This is the Bengal everybody wants to see,” he said.

5 PM: The last session of the day was an ‘International Multi-Country Session’ which saw representatives from Italy, Romania, Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Australia, Belgium and other countries.

The Ambassador of Italy to India praised the economic and infrastructure growth in Bengal.

The delegate from Belgium focused on three sectors where Bengal and Belgium can cooperate: trading hubs, agriculture, river tourism.

The delegate from Russian Foreign Ministry announced a Russian company is planning to invest in Bengal, in chemical sector.

The delegate from the Silesia province of Poland discussed opportunities for partnership between Bengal and Silesia

The delegate from Bahrain pitched for closer business ties with Bengal.

The delegation from South Korea invited to visit the Bengal Chief Minister to visit their country.

Bengal has emerged as a business destination: President of India at Bengal Global Business Summit 2017

Posted on January 20, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Hon’ble President of India inaugurated the third edition of Bengal Global Business Summit today. During his speech he said complemented the current State government for moving with liberal policies for suitable investment climate despite huge debt-stress.

The Hon’ble President said that the Bengal government is focused on growth. He also praised the Sabuj Sathi scheme of the state government.

The two-day long summit is being organised at Milan Mela Grounds, Kolkata. Business delegations from 29 countries including Japan, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Korea, Belgium, Bangladesh, United States of America, UK, Canada, Italy, Russia, China are participating in the two-day meeting.

মাননীয় রাষ্ট্রপতির উপস্থিতিতে শুরু হল বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলন

ভারতের মাননীয় রাষ্ট্রপতি আজ তৃতীয় বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলনের উদ্বোধন করলেন। দুদিনব্যাপী এই সম্মেলন অনুষ্ঠিত হচ্ছে মিলন মেলা প্রাঙ্গনে। আমেরিকা, ব্রিটেন, কানাডা, ইতালি, রাশিয়া, চীন সহ নানা দেশের প্রতিনিধিরা উপস্থিত এই সম্মেলনে।

বন্দর, খনি, ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পের ওপর বিশেষ গুরুত্ব দেওয়া হবে বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলনে। শিল্প ও বানিজ্য দপ্তর ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পের অন্তর্গত বস্ত্র, রত্ন, গয়না, চামড়া, পাট, কামারশিল্প, ঢালাই ও হস্তশিল্পকেও তুলে ধরবে।

বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলন ২০১৭য় স্টার্ট-আপ হতে চলেছে ‘মধ্যমণি’। সাম্প্রতিককালের কিছু নামকরা স্টার্ট-আপের প্রতিনিধিরা রয়েছেন এই সম্মেলন।

Bengal has turned around under CM Mamata Banerjee

Posted on January 20, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The third edition of Bengal Global Business Summit is being held at Milan Mela Grounds with participation from business delegates from around the world.

In the last five years, Bengal has witnessed unprecedented growth under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. Power cuts are a thing of the past; the State has formulated new policies for industry, MSME, land use, textile, maritime, tourism.

There has been a large-scale growth in infrastructure and Bengal is now the fourth largest State economy in the country. The humane-government has also excelled in social-sector development.

Here are some hard figures of the unprecedented development in Bengal since 2011:

Economic Parameters

Growth Rate of Bengal is far above the Growth Rate of India at Macroeconomic level –

	India (% Growth, 2015-2016)	Bengal (% Growth, 2015-2016)
Gross Value Added (GVA)	7.3	12.02
Industrial Sector	7.3	10.59
Agricultural Sector	1.1	5.55
Services Sector	9.2	13.99

1. GSDP (at current Prices)
2010-11 – Rs 4,60,959 Cr

2015-16 – Rs 9,39,471 Cr

2. Fiscal Deficit (as a percentage of GSDP) has been brought down
2010-11 – 4.24%

2015-16 – 2.68%

3. Revenue Deficit has been brought down
2010-11 – 3.75%

2015-16 – 1.03%

4. State’s own Taxes has doubled in four years
2010-11 – Rs 21,129 Cr

2015-16 – Rs 49,920 Cr

5. Plan expenditure of the Government has gone up by 3 times
2010-11 – Rs 14,615 Cr

2015-16 – Rs 54,069 Cr

Plan Expenditure in social sector has increased by 4.5 times

Agriculture and Agri-allied sector has grown by 7 times
Physical Infrastructure has grown by 4 times

Capital Expenditure has grown by 7 times
2010-11 – Rs 2,226 Cr

2015-16 – Rs 15,947 Cr

Growth of Infrastructure and Human Capital

10,663 kms of new highways constructed and upgraded in the last 5 years
10,000 kms of rural roads constructed and upgraded in the last 5 years
100% electrification with quality power provided – No power cuts
2,510 new Primary Schools and 3,452 Junior High Schools opened in the last 5 years
1,852 Secondary Schools have been enhanced to Higher Secondary stage in the last five years
46 new Government Colleges have been opened in the last five years
7 new State-aided Universities and 8 new Private Universities have been set up in the last five years
81 new Polytechnic Colleges have been opened in the last five years compared to 65 in 2011, thus totaling to 146
170 new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been opened in the last five years compared to 80 in 2011, thus totaling to 250 ITIs
Significant Investment Flows between 2011 and March 2016

Schedule of the Bengal Global Business Summit 2017

Posted on January 19, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

As the Bengal Government gears up for the third edition of Bengal Global Business Summit, the stage is set with a stable State Government, remarkable growth, improved governance and record social and physical infrastructure.

West Bengal recorded a 12.02% real growth in terms of GVA in 2015-16 and the Industry sector of the state observed a growth rate of 10.59% in 2015-16. The State has framed plethora of industry friendly policies.

The two-day long Bengal Global Business Summit 2017 will bring together policy makers, corporate leaders from around the globe, delegations, academia, opinion makers to explore business opportunities, forge partnerships and collaborations.

Come to Bengal, Ride the Growth!

তৃতীয় বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলনের জন্য প্রস্তুত বাংলা। বাংলা এখন উন্নয়নের পথে। সামাজিক ও অর্থনৈতিক পরিকাঠামো থেকে শুরু করে সব কিছুতেই এখন এগিয়ে পশ্চিমবাংলা।

২০১৫-১৬ সালে পশ্চিমবাংলার GVA গ্রোথ ছিল রেকর্ড পরিমান ১২.২%। ২০১৫-১৬ সালে শিল্পক্ষেত্রে বৃদ্ধির হার ১০.৫৯%।

দুদিনব্যাপী এই বেঙ্গল গ্লোবাল বিজনেস সামিটে সারা বিশ্বের বিভিন্ন উদ্যগপতি ও কর্পোরেট নেতারা ও শিল্পপতিদের প্রতিনিধি দল অংশগ্রহণ করবেন।

Come to Bengal, Ride the Growth!

Here is the schedule for the two-day Summit:

Day 1: January 20, 2017

Day 2: January 21, 2107

Third edition of Bengal Global Business Summit to be biggest so far

Posted on January 19, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

This year, the third edition of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) will be organised at Milan Mela, and will be the biggest summit so far. The venue will have top-class facilities and security arrangements for delegates.

The state government laid no stone unturned to strongly promote the event. The city was decked up with hoardings and billboards displaying the objectives of BGBS and the tag line ‘Come to Bengal, Ride the growth’. The hoardings were seen on most of the busiest road crossings and intersections.

Port, mining and MSME will be the main areas of focus at the 2017 edition of the summit. The state government recently framed a Maritime Policy, with the help of global analytical company CRISIL. With that, the government has also opened the ways to widen ‘port-based industrialisation’ to give an edge to Bengal’s trade scenario.

Promoting the state as the possessor of the third largest ‘mineral resource’ across India, the Bengal government will look to get investment in mining sector as well. The Commerce and Industry department will promote sectors like textile, gems and jewellery, leather, jute, forging, casting, apparel and handicraft under MSMEs.

Startups are also in focus at the Summit this year. On 20 January, 2017, there will be a ‘Plenary Session on Start Ups & Entrepreneurship’ and on the second day, a special session on startups is scheduled.

এবছরের বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলন এখনও পর্যন্ত সবথেকে বড়

আগামীকাল থেকে শুরু হচ্ছে তৃতীয় বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলন। দুদিনের এই সম্মেলন হবে মিলনমেলায়। চলবে শনিবার পর্যন্ত।

এই উপলক্ষে হোর্ডিং ও ব্যানারে সেজে উঠেছে গোটা কলকাতা। শহরের বিভিন্ন প্রান্তে ব্যস্ততম ক্রসিংগুলোতে লাগানো হয়েছে এইসব হোর্ডিং। যার ট্যাগ লাইন হল ‘Come to Bengal, Ride the growth’. চলছে শেষ মুহূর্তের প্রস্তুতি।

২০১৭–‌র বিশ্ববঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলনের প্রধান আকর্ষণ দুটো— এক, চীন। আর দুই, উদ্ভাবনী নতুন ব্যবসা, শিল্প জগতে এখন ‘স্টার্ট আপ’ নামে যার পরিচয়। বন্দর, খনিজ শক্তি, ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্প এই সম্মেলনে বিশেষ গুরুত্ব পাবে। এছাড়াও যে বিষয়গুলিতে নজর দেওয়া হচ্ছে সেগুলি হল – জলপথ পরিবহন, অসামরিক বিমান পরিষেবা, গাড়ি, ক্রীড়া ও পরিকাঠামো বিষয়ক শিল্প, খাদ্য প্রক্রিয়াকরণ, স্বাস্থ্য, শিক্ষা, কর্মদক্ষতা, তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি, নগরোন্নয়ন, অরথ-আইন বিষয়ক ক্ষেত্র, পর্যটন ও বিনোদন ইত্যাদি।

সম্মেলনে উপস্থিত থাকবেন বিভিন্ন শিল্পক্ষেত্রের ২৫টি সংস্থার প্রতিনিধিরা। উদ্ভাবনী নতুন ব্যবসা স্থাপনের অনুকূল পরিবেশ তৈরি করার জন্যই বিশ্ব বঙ্গ সম্মেলনে স্টার্ট আপ–‌কে গুরুত্ব দেওয়া হচ্ছে। ইন্ডিয়ান ইনস্টিটিউট অফ ম্যানেজমেন্ট, কলকাতার ইনোভেশন পার্ক চিহ্নিত করে দিয়েছে স্থানীয় বেশ কিছু সম্ভাবনাময় স্টার্ট আপ। কনফেডারেশন অফ ইন্ডিয়ান ইন্ডাস্ট্রিজের পক্ষ থেকে বিশেষ উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হয়েছে যাতে স্টার্ট আপ কর্ণধাররা অন্যান্য শিল্প প্রতিষ্ঠানের প্রতিনিধিদের সঙ্গে সরাসরি আলোচনায় বসতে পারেন।

আগামী ২০ জানুয়ারি ‘Plenary Session on Start Ups & Entrepreneurship’ এর একটি সেশন হবে এবং সম্মেলনের দ্বিতীয় দিনে স্টার্টআপের ওপর একটি বিশেষ সেশন হবে।

Bengal Global Business Summit 2017 to emphasize on port, mining and MSME

Posted on December 8, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Port, mining and MSME will be the key areas to focus at Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2017.

Eyeing the third edition of BGBS, set to stage in on January 20-21, the Bengal Government is ready to proclaim mega investment proposals, a sizeable portion of which will come from private players in these sectors, the officials of industry and commerce department believe.

The Government recently framed a Maritime Policy with the help of global analytical company Crysil. With that, the government has also opened opportunities to widen ‘port based industrialisation’ to add a sharp edge in Bengal’s trade scenario.

Displaying the State as the possessor of third largest mineral resources across the nation, the State Government will look forward to get investment in mining sector as well. However, the commerce and industry department will promote sectors like textile, gems and jewellery, leather, jute, forging, casting, apparel and handicraft under MSMEs. The state government has already announced an investment to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore and 10,000 direct job creations in Tajpur Port and in the port-led industrial circuit there. The department has initiated Adani Ports and Essar Ports for investment there.

The development of robust infrastructure in ports, exploring various opportunities in consultation with global analytical firms and development of inland waterways to optimally leverage its maritime advantages are already underway. Now, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited (WBIDC) is ready to promote deep sea port at Tajpur, Sagar Island and new port with ship building facility at Kulpi.

The State will also talk about the coal reserves of Deocha Pachmi in West Bengal, second largest in the world, at 2,00,000 million tonne, alone can create many jobs. The Deucha Panchmari Dewangunj coalmines project will be implemented jointly by West Bengal Mineral Development Corporation and Bengal Birbhum Coalfields Ltd. The project is likely to be operational in 2019 and will employ about one lakh people.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) have indicated that Bengal has untapped reserves of iron ore, dolomites, tungsten, fireclay, granite and sand.

The State has tied up with Kudremukh Iron Ore Company (KIOCL) for iron ore deposit exploration. Recently, Kudremukh, a public sector company, has joined hands with the West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation (WBMDTC) to start a joint venture of Rs 850 crore.

MSMEs are undoubtedly the area which will get most of the attention in the upcoming BGBS. Handicraft, textile, jute, gems and jewellery have huge prospect in this state as adequate land is ready for making industrial parks.

The facts that would be showcased are various facilities and advantages of port-based industrialisation. The deep sea port at Bhor Sagar, which is a joint venture between the Centre and state government, will cost around Rs 16,000 crore. The work is under process in equity participation by Kolkata Port Trust and the state government. The project is also looking for a concessionaire through public private partnership (PPP). The requirement of land is 347 acre which is already in possession.

The green field port at Tajpur is going to be constructed in a revenue share model, as the state government is not looking for a joint venture with the Centre here. The state will build the main infrastructure and invite private players for the rest of the infrastructure. Revenue share model will be followed for the business.

বিশ্ববঙ্গ বাণিজ্য সম্মেলন ২০১৭য় গুরুত্ব দেওয়া হবে বন্দর, খনি, ক্ষুদ্র শিল্পকে

বন্দর, খনি, ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পের ওপর বিশেষ গুরুত্ব দেওয়া হবে ২০-২১ জানুয়ারি ২০১৭তে অনুষ্ঠিত হতে চলা বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বানিজ্য সম্মেলনে।

বিশ্ব বঙ্গ বানিজ্য সম্মেলন এবার তৃতীয় বর্ষে। বড় বিনিয়োগ টানতে তৈরী রাজ্য সরকার। শিল্প ও বানিজ্য দপ্তরের বিশ্বাস এই বিনিয়োগের একটি বড় অংশ আসবে বেসরকারি বিনিয়োগকারীদের থেকে।

রাজ্য সরকার ইতিমধ্যেই একটি সামুদ্রিক নীতি (মেরিটাইম পলিসি) তৈরি করেছে বিশ্ব বিখ্যাত প্রতিষ্ঠান ক্রিসিলের সহযোগিতায়। বন্দর ভিত্তিক শিল্পের জন্য নানা উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হয়েছে রাজ্যের তরফে।

দেশের তৃতীয় সর্ববৃহৎ খনিজ সম্পদের অধিকারি রাজ্য হওয়ার কারনে রাজ্য সরকার খনিতেও অনেক লগ্নি আনতে সচেষ্ট । শিল্প ও বানিজ্য দপ্তর ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পের অন্তর্গত বস্ত্র, রত্ন, গয়না, চামড়া, পাট, কামারশিল্প, ঢালাই ও হস্তশিল্পকেও তুলে ধরবে।

Bengal offers huge investment prospects in mining: Amit Mitra

Posted on November 17, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Bengal today invited companies to invest in coal mining and exploration activities in the state as it highlighted huge opportunities in the sector.

“Deaocha Pachami coal block is the world’s second largest reserves with two billion tonnes and shared by six entities including Bengal. Along with that, Bengal has tied up with Kudurmukh for iron ore deposit exploration in the state,” state Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra said.

Bengal has identified six granite prospective blocks and exploration has begun in three through competitive bidding, Dr Mitra said while addressing the IMME and Global Mining Summit 2016. He informed that mining would be carried out shortly in four blocks held by West Bengal Power Development Corporation. All these will offer huge investment opportunities and urged companies to take advantage of the same, he said.

At the same time, the minister said, mining activity should be socially responsible and done in dialogue with people where the projects would take off.

খনি-শিল্পে বাংলার লগ্নি সম্ভাবনা বিপুল: অমিত মিত্র

বুধবার কলকাতায় সিআইআইয়ের আইএমএমই অ্যান্ড গ্লোবাল মাইনিং সামিট ২০১৬-র অনুষ্ঠানে অংশগ্রহণ করেন অর্থমন্ত্রী অমিত মিত্র।

এ দিন পশ্চিমবঙ্গে খনি শিল্পে লগ্নি করতে বিনিয়োগকারীদের আহ্বান জানান রাজ্যের অর্থমন্ত্রী অমিত মিত্র।

তিনি জানান, রাজ্যে শিল্পের উপযুক্ত পরিবেশ তৈরি আছে। শিল্পপতিরা চাইলেই বিনিয়োগ করতে পারেন। বীরভূমে দেউচা-পাচামি কয়লা ব্লক দেশের দ্বিতীয় বৃহত্তম কয়লা খনি। এখানে প্রায় ২ বিলিয়ন টন মজুত করা যায়। পশ্চিমবঙ্গ-সহ ছ’টি রাজ্য কয়লা পাবে এই খনি থেকে।

তিনি আরও বলেন, ইতিমধ্যেই বাংলা ছয়টি গ্রানাইট ব্লক চিহ্নিত করেছে এবং তিনটিতে খনন কাজ শুরু হয়ে গেছে। তিনি আরও জানান, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ বিদ্যুৎ উন্নয়ন নিগম খুব শীঘ্রই চারটি ব্লকের খনন কাজ সম্পন্ন করবে। এর ফলে বিনিয়োগের অনেক সুযোগ তৈরি হবে।

খনি-শিল্পে বাংলার লগ্নি সম্ভাবনা বিপুল: অমিত মিত্র

Rs 4000 crore allotted for revamping Bengal power infrastructure

Posted on June 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal Government has taken up a plan to revamp the state’s power infrastructure at an investment of Rs 4,000 crore over the next two years, State Power Minister Manish Gupta said on Wednesday.

West Bengal Power Development Corporation will appoint a mine developer and operator to start mining in five coal blocks, the Power Minister said while placing the power budget in the assembly.

State to start mining coal

The Centre allotted to WBPDCLsix coal blocks, including Tara (East & West), Barjora (North), Barjora, Gangaramchak, Gangaramchak-Bhadulia, Pachwara (North) and Kasta (East). Apart from this, the Deocha Pachami Deawanganj-Harisingha coal block has been allotted jointly to six states, including Bengal.

The minister said WBPDCL would receive 584 million tonnes of coals from the Deocha Pachami Deawanganj-Harisingha block. He also said that coal supply was not a cause of concern for the state government. “WBPDCL has a record coal stock of 9.29 lakh metric tonnes as on March 31, 2015”, said the minister.

Alternative sources of power

The department of Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources is drawing up a draft document on Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Policy, which would be extended throughout the state in a phased manner, the Minister told the Assembly. The rooftop solar photovoltaic policy for the state was likely to be announced very shortly after former approval of the state cabinet, the Minister said.

The West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency already took up a project for installation of 10 kWp rooftop grid connected PV power plant with net metering arrangement at 100 government and government-aided schools statewide with 100 per cent funding from the state budget, he said.

The project would be extended to 500 schools altogether in phases, the minister said replying to a supplementary. The Minister further said that the WBREDA was also implementing an off-grid school electrification programme for another 100 schools in the Sundarbans.

Boost to power sector

The state government has also planned to set up a photovoltaic power plant to the proposed 1000MW Turga Pumped Storage in Ayodhya Hills in Purulia. “The project has got an in-principle approval from Centre,” the Minister said.

Steps have also been taken to upgrade various low voltage areas into high voltage ones, the Minister said. He said that in the last four years the power sector had witnessed improvement, thanks to several development schemes undertaken by his department.

The distribution infrastructure of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited had much improved in the last four years with the installation of 82 new 33/11KV sub-stations, besides HT line and Distribution Transformers (DTRs) etc, he said.

Starting from non-conventional energy resources, the state has already taken many projects to boost rural electrification and hydro-electric power generation programmes, the Minister said.