Mamata invites British businesses to invest in state

PTI, KOLKATA/LONDON, MARCH 26, 2025 :  Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee invited British businesses to invest in the state in areas such as automation, engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Reminiscing about the United Kingdom's centuries-old relationship with India, particularly Bengal, she said on Tuesday that Calcutta, the erstwhile name of Kolkata, was the capital of British India until 1911. She added that the city still bears testimony to the splendid architecture of the era in its heritage buildings and structures.

Speaking at an interactive session on Opportunities in West Bengal in London, the video of which was shared on the Chief Minister's Facebook page, Mamata said that British industries can help the state in green technologies, smart infrastructure, and clean energy sectors.

"We welcome further partnerships in areas such as automation, engineering, green manufacturing, artificial intelligence, etc.," she said. "Let us create a win-win outcome together," the Chief Minister added, urging British businesses to set up operations in West Bengal.

"We share a deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic background that dates back centuries," she said. Mamata also mentioned that several British companies have invested in West Bengal in recent times.

"We offer a business-friendly government... Some of our key policies include industrial and economic corridors, logistics, export promotion, new energy manufacturing, data centers, and cable landing," she said.

Pointing to women empowerment in the state, the Chief Minister highlighted that the number of women entrepreneurs in West Bengal is high and that 39% of her party, Trinamool Congress's elected members in Parliament, are women.

Maintaining that sustainable development can bring about inclusive growth, she said: "That is why Bengal is going ahead."

Mamata urged airlines in the UK to introduce a direct flight between Kolkata and London, mentioning that British Airways used to have a direct flight between the two cities.

Maintaining that it currently takes 18 hours to reach London from Kolkata, the Chief Minister said that a direct flight would reduce travel time to just eight hours. Mamata stated that everyone, from the student community to businessmen and professionals, is keen on direct connectivity.

"We will give you a fabulous reception," she assured the airlines if they introduced direct flights between Kolkata and London.

The Chief Minister also maintained that the financial health of the state is strong.

"West Bengal's GSDP grew by 6.80% in the 2024-25 fiscal, whereas India's GDP grew by 6.37%," she said.

Claiming that 57.60% of people in West Bengal were below the poverty line in 2011 when the TMC came to power, the Chief Minister said: "Now, it has come down to only 8.60%."

Mamata stated that in the Bengal Global Business Summits held over the years by her government, the state has received investment proposals worth over ₹19 lakh crore.

"Out of that, ₹13 lakh crore investment proposals have already been implemented, and the rest are in the process," she said.

The Chief Minister further mentioned that, in addition, this year's BGBS attracted investment proposals worth over ₹4 lakh crore.

Highlighting the state's inclusive and harmonious environment, she said, "In West Bengal, people from all states live in harmony. Unity in diversity is our USP.