Perception that investors are having about West Bengal "is not the best one", Francois Richier, Ambassador of France to India said in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“It is true that that there is difficulty for one French Company that was dedicated to invest in West Bengal,” Mr. Richier said, referring to ABG-LDA, a joint venture between India's ABG Infralogistics Ltd and France's LDA, which stopped operations at Haldia in 2012 citing law and order problems.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Ambassador pointed out that even now the company is unable to remove its equipment from the port's terminal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asked whether State Industry Minister Amit Mitra, during their interaction, gave an assurance of resolving the problem, the Ambassador refused to comment.
"Please ask the Industry Minister what he said," Mr. Richier who was on a three-day visit to Kolkata told journalists.
Identifying renewable energy and coping with climate change are areas where France and West Bengal can cooperate with one another, he said, adding that a French specialist team will soon visit the State.
According to the Ambassador, so far, 15 French companies have investments in Bengal and 350-odd have investments in India.
Meeting with State BJP president
Apart from meeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and some Ministers of her Cabinet, Mr. Richier also met State BJP president Rahul Sinha.
During the meeting, which lasted over 40 minutes, the Ambassador extended an invitation to Mr. Sinha to visit France.
Mr. Sinha urged him that like in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, an Indo-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry should be set up in Kolkata.
It is significant that Mr. Richier met the State BJP leadership, though the Left parties are the largest party in the Opposition in the State.