West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (February 4, 2025) confirmed the participation of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and JSW Managing Director Sajjan Jindal at the eight edition of Bengal Global Business Summit starting on Wednesday (February 5, 2025).
The Chief Minister, however, expressed doubts whether Tshering Tobga, Prime Minister of Bhutan who had confirmed the participation in the business summit in October 2024, would attend the event or not.
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“He [Prime Minister of Bhutan] had confirmed his participation earlier. Now, I am getting some reports that there is something up with Delhi. I still want him to come as [Bhutan] is a country neighbouring West Bengal and we must develop good relations which are beneficial for the country,” Ms. Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister said she cannot comment on the role of Delhi as long as she receives a formal confirmation that the Prime Minister of the neighbouring country is not going to participate.
The 8th edition of Bengal Global Business Summit is scheduled from February 5-6, 2025 and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been invited as the chief guest along with the Prime Minister of Bhutan. The other captains of industry who are likely to participate in the business summit include Sanjiv Goenka chairman RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Harshvardhan Noetia, chairman Ambuja Neotia Group and Sanjiv Puri, chairman of ITC limited among others.
Ms. Banerjee said delegates from 25 countries will participate in the business summit. The West Bengal Government has been planning the major event for the past few months to show cause the potential of the State to attract investment.
“West Bengal has been consistently among the fastest growing States in terms of economic growth with a GSDP expected to reach ₹18.79 lakh crore in 2024-25 (B.E). The State is a hub for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, IT, cement, leather, iron & steel, textiles etc,” the Chief Minister has said in a statement on the BGBS 2025 website.
Ms. Banerjee also pointed out West Bengal ranks as the 4th largest State in India in terms of Net Value Added. One of the biggest challenges for Mamata Banerjee, who has been in power in West Bengal for the past 13 years, has been to attract investment and shun the anti- industry image of the State.
Published – February 05, 2025 11:29 am IST
