UK firms eye Bengal; Chinese team to join BGBS

Kolkata: Around 18 companies from the UK are keen on investing or expanding operations in West Bengal. A high-level team comprising representatives of these companies will attend the 5th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), to be held next week (April 20-21). This was disclosed by the deputy head of mission of British deputy high commission, Yemi Odanye, at the MCCI Diplomatic Conclave — “Bengal As a Trade and Business Destination”.
According to the UK diplomat, some of these companies are operating in other Indian states while the rest have no presence in the country so far. These companies belong to different sectors such as education, creative economy, infrastructure, renewable energy, IT, finance, maritime, e-vehicle and waste management.
Odayne said a 35-member UK business delegation will participate in this year’s BGBS. “There will be lots of announcement. We shall have a UK pavilion also.” The UK is one of the partner countries in this year’s BGBS along with Japan, Germany and others.
Chinese consul general Zha Liyou pointed out that a 20-member delegation representing seven Chinese companies would join the state business summit. He also batted for promotion of Buddhist tourism in China and India, where Bengal as the gateway.
The consul general of Japan, Y Matsutaro, said that there will be a special session on Japan at the business summit. WBIDC executive director P Kamalakanth also addressed the meeting. MCCI president Rishabh C Kothari, senior vice-president Lalit Beriwala and VP Namit Bajoria were present at the meeting.