Meet to chalk out north's growth

SOUMYADE SARKAR, TT, 22 Jun 201, Siliguri: Representatives of the business fraternity, industrialists and officials of different government departments and agencies joined in a symposium hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) here in association with state government departments on Friday to explore options and discuss prospects for a comprehensive development of north Bengal.

At the meet that continued throughout the day, speakers from different walks of life elaborated on different sectors ranging from MSMEs to tourism to food processing to infrastructure, while highlighting USPs of the region.

"We are keen to bring in industrial investments to north Bengal. Along with tea and tourism, the region has equal potentiality for the development of industries on agro, food processing, IT, education, healthcare and real estate," said Nishant Mittal, chairman of the north Bengal council of ICC.

Jahangir Alamn, the secretary and chief executive officer of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhaka, said his country had started taking initiatives to boost up connectivity between Bangladesh and north Bengal.

The Consul General of Bhutan, Thinley Wanchuk, spoke on the need to promote tourism in an integrated manner in the region.

Subramani P, the airport director of Bagdogra, also spoke..