At a time Kolkata is on the boil, following widespread violence during civic body polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Bhutan to explore “business possibilities” with the country. In a message on a micro-blogging site, Ms Banerjee said that she has explained to the Bhutan’s Prime Minister how Bengal has grown over the years as a possible investment destination. “We shared with them the achievements of our government in the economic front and the ease of doing business in Bengal,” she said. Two Ministers, the Chief Secretary and senior government officials have accompanied her. Earlier Ms Banerjee visited Singapore and London to attract investment.
“I invited the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in Kolkata on January 8 & 9, 2016. I also requested him to send a delegation from Bhutan to the North Bengal Business Summit to be held on November 19, 2015,” Ms Banerjee said in her message. She has also mentioned setting up of “dedicated business corridors” with Bhutan and other neighbouring countries to facilitate regional connectivity. Ms Banerjee hoped that such facilitation will “boost” regional trade, as it would connect Bhutan with Bangladesh.
“It will also give to the people of Bhutan greater access to healthcare and education opportunities in Bengal and beyond and flourish tourism opportunities,” she said. She has also added that Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal (BBIN) will soon sign a Protocol to develop economic and transport corridor in West Bengal. The fact, however, is that India has already signed what is described as “a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA)” to facilitate passenger and cargo among BBIN countries in this year’s June.
