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Industrialists, successful in the State, should be our Goodwill Ambassadors: Dr. Shashi Panja
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised a Special Session on “Prospects for Industrial Growth in West Bengal – The Road Ahead” today at Kolkata.
The Chief Guest of the Session was Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Public Enterprises & Industrial Reconstruction, Women & Child Development & Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal.
Shri Rishabh C. Kothari, President, MCCI delivered the Welcome Address in this Session. In his address, Shri Kothari lauded the initiative of the Government of West Bengal for setting up a Wholesale Apparel Hub at Nungi, Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas.
Shri Kothari added that West Bengal has played an important role in the development of the textile and apparel industry and till date, it is a major manufacturer of hosiery products, garments, and technical textiles. The state is among the top producers in these segments, which would receive further boost with the support of the State Government.
While deliberating on positive development on logistics and delivery space, Shri Kothari enquired whether the State Government was planning to incentivize investments in logistics as West Bengal was fast developing as a logistics hub for the whole of East, North East, parts of North India, and for the whole of South East Asian and East Asian nations.
Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises in her address said that there were many favorable factors including climate, location, huge consumer base, plentiful water and electricity, skilled workforce in Bengal with access to neighboring states and North-East. Dr. Panja mentioned that the coal mine in Deocha Pachami and the Deep Seaport at Tajpur are in the process of being operational..
While speaking on ownership of the industries, Dr. Panja suggested the industrialists, successful in the State, to act as its Goodwill Ambassadors when they travel to other states or oversees. She also spoke about Creative Economy which has been generating huge employment and revenue from different avenues.
Speaking about EVs Dr. Panja said, that West Bengal should look at manufacturing them. Agreeing to the chamber’s view she said it was important that there has been no industrial strike in the state since 2011 and there was near zero loss of man days, which is indeed very positive to investors’ sentiment. ” We do have industries in the state but somehow there is a perception that there are no big-ticket investments here” Dr Panja said adding the industrialists of the state can function as good will ambassadors.
Dr Panja appreciated the initiatives taken by the Chamber to promote industrial development in the state and seconded the idea that special focus needs to be given to facilitate Start-ups and Next -gen businesses.
She mentioned about the various social welfare schemes, the West Bengsl government has undertaken, with which the industry could integrate itself.
Shri Lalit Beriwala, Senior Vice President, MCCI, requested the Hon’ble Minister to look into the tariff issues of the power intensive industries, especially the steel.
The Session concluded with the hearty Vote of Thanks proposed by Shri Beriwala, Senior Vice President, MCCI.
