124th Annual General Meeting Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI)
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) held its 124th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 19 September 2025 (Today) at Crystal Hall, Taj Bengal Kolkata. The Session was addressed by Dr. Amit Mitra, Principal Chief Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister & Finance Department (in the rank of Cabinet Minister), Government of West Bengal and Shri Sanjiv Puri, Chairman & Managing Director, ITC Limited.
Members of MCCI from Steel, Power, Food Processing and Tourism sectors announced over 49,561 cr. investment plans in West Bengal in next 2 years during the 124th AGM in the presence of Dr. Mitra.
Dr. Amit Mitra addressed on ‘Doubling West Bengal’s GDP by 2030: A Road map and Reform‘ and stated that the State GDP has grown 4 times since the current Government came to power. State tax collection has increased to 90,000cr. in 2023-24 from 21,000 cr. in 2010-11. Total expenditure has increased 21.63% which includes both capital expenditure and social service expenditure. Leather Hub at Bantala was the great investment initiative of West Bengal. State Government has set up 415 tanneries.
He emphasised on ‘Dual Strategy’ of the government which includes small sector for employment generation and large industries for state industrialisation. He further added that the steel industry as grown by 12% in 2024 in West Bengal.
Dr. Mitra pointed out that the State Government has implemented land reforms and more than 100 companies have converted to freehold land. He informed that recently the logistics sector is officially recognized as an industry, which aims to attract investments, boost industrial growth, and create significant employment opportunities in the state. State Government has set up 3 industrial corridors namely, Dankuni-Tajpur-Raghunathpur, Dankuni-Kalyani and Dankuni-Jhargram. He further informed that 11 Data Centres are coming up to the State in Silicon-Valley Hub.
“Bhabishayat Credit Card” announced by Government of West Bengal has 50,000 small entrepreneurs registered under it.
Lastly, Shri Mitra proposed that Chamber of Commence should adopt ITI and polytechnic to bridge the skill gap of the youth. The Chamber should create skills and foster sustainability.
Shri Sanjiv Puri addressed on ‘Reimagining competitiveness in a turbulent world‘ and said that West Bengal is unique in many ways. West Bengal is an agri powerhouse and it has tremendous potential. The State is rich in water resources where as there is water scarcity in many parts of India.
He believed that capital has good scope to multiply in West Bengal given its intellectual capital and strong manufacturing base.
Shri Puri suggested 4 points as ways to leverage the opportunities in West Bengal i.e, Invest in innovation and R&D, Enhance sustainability of supply chain (for example by derisking supply chain from climate change), Sustainability to ensure competitiveness and Impart skills to reap benefit of demographic dividend.
Earlier, Shri Amit Saraogi, President, MCCI in his Welcome Address said that at present, West Bengal is the sixth largest State in terms of economic size having a projected GSDP of USD 236.16 billion in 2025-26.
He mentioned that West Bengal’s projected growth (10%‑12%) for 2024‑25 / 2025‑26 is well above many states and the national average. Services sector is dominant and growing, which helps drive higher productivity and tends to attract investment. West Bengal’s social welfare schemes are ground breaking having significantly contributed to the State’s social upliftment.
The Session ended with a hearty Vote of Thanks proposed by Smt. Priti A. Sureka, Senior Vice President, MCCI.
