Bengal Secures ₹6.8 Lakh Crore in Investment Intents, Says Minister at Grand Trade Fair Launch

Agencies | Kolkata | August 3, 2025  :  In a significant assertion of Bengal’s growing industrial potential, State Industry and Commerce Minister Shashi Panja announced on Saturday that West Bengal has recorded investment intents worth ₹6.8 lakh crore over the past few years through a series of high-profile summits and global partnerships.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the India International Grand Trade Fair (IIGTF) 2025 in Kolkata, Panja credited the state’s improved business ecosystem and inclusive development strategy for attracting this substantial interest from both domestic and international investors.

“West Bengal ranks among the top ten states in ease of doing business. The state enjoys communal harmony, peace, and an ideal geographic location with strong connectivity to the North-East, making it a preferred destination for trade and industry,” Panja stated during her address.

The Minister emphasized that Bengal is targeting sector-specific growth in areas such as food processing, textiles, MSMEs, IT, logistics, and more—industries that form the backbone of both rural and urban employment and economic development.

The IIGTF 2025, being jointly organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce and CCG Marketing & Services, has positioned itself as one of India’s premier commercial expos. With a strong emphasis on handicraft clusters and rural innovation, the event is aligned with Bengal’s larger vision of inclusive growth and supporting grassroots entrepreneurship.

Panja thanked the organisers for curating a platform that not only brings visibility to artisans and small businesses but also enables them to reach national and international markets. “This is an opportunity for rural innovators to showcase their products, ideas, and creativity. Our government remains committed to bringing such talent to the mainstream,” she said.

This year’s fair features over 500 stalls and 11 air-conditioned pavilions, offering an expansive display of thousands of consumer and commercial products. The event includes participation from traders, artisans, startups, and entrepreneurs representing nine countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, and the UAE.

In addition to international exhibitors, the event also features representation from 18 Indian states, including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Gujarat, and others, showcasing their respective industries, crafts, and investment opportunities.

The IIGTF 2025 will continue till August 18, and is expected to draw massive footfall. Last year, the event registered over 5 lakh visitors, setting a precedent that organisers expect to surpass this year, given the fair's larger scale and diversified participation.

The minister’s announcement comes at a time when Bengal is also pioneering decentralized governance and participatory infrastructure development through initiatives like ‘Amader Para Amader Samadhan’, which drew over 1.75 lakh citizens to 632 camps across the state on its launch day—further evidence of the state's commitment to both economic and social empowerment.