Mamata invites investment from Italy, assures all support

Kolkata: Exhorting the business fraternity of Italy to invest in the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured them of all government support while addressing a joint meet by ASSOLOMBARDA, Italian Trade Commission, FICCI and government of West Bengal in Milan, Italy, on Monday.

Showcasing Bengal as the ideal business destination, Banerjee said that the state serves as the gateway to South-East Asia and the north-eastern states of the country.

"We are number one in MSME and the GSDP is higher than that of India during 2017-18," she said.

Stressing on factors that might be instrumental in spearheading business between Italy and Bengal, the Chief Minister said that the state is keen on investments where "technology from Italy" and "skill of Bengal" can be a fruitful partnership in the years to come.

"Italy has the technology and we have skilled labour and there is a huge scope for industrial growth if these two are combined," she said.

The Industrial and IT policy along with Bengal's land use policy has made huge strides, she maintained.

Banerjee further stated that the Bengal government has decided to set up a design centre where Italy could be a partner. She also invited the businessmen and their family members to come to Kolkata to attend the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) scheduled to be held on February 7 and 8, 2019, at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town.

"I invite you all to come to Kolkata for the BGBS along with your family members," she said and assured them of impeccable warmth and hospitality.

Investment possibilities from Italy in sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, design and innovation, ICT, leather, textiles, agro-processing, tourism and automobiles were deliberated in detail during the meeting.

Potential investment from Italy in sectors like textiles, especially in yarn manufacturing, leather, agro-tools manufacturing, agro-business and food processing, waste to energy, handlooms and handicrafts under the MSME Sector were also discussed exhaustively.

"A lot of emphasis was given on possibilities of exchanges in academic and research fields between Italy and Bengal in the larger interest of student communities of both of us," she said in a social media post.

Banerjee said Italy is famous for its leather industry and in Bengal there is a huge scope for investment. Many industrial units, situated in Kanpur, are planning to shift to Bengal and so there is a great scope for expansion of the leather industry.

Drawing an example of undeniable love and emotion for football in both Italy and Bengal, the Chief Minister said that in Kolkata, games of Italian clubs, like AC Milan, are watched and much appreciated.

Similar to Bengal being the cultural hub of India, Italy is very developed in art and painting. "We are like two sisters and so, I believe, there can be tremendous understanding and deep business ties between us," Banerjee added.