North Bengal seen investments in two years

North Bengal has received investments worth Rs 2,345 crore in the past two years through various CII initiatives, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra has said at the 5th North Bengal Conclave. The state government has also received an Expression of Interest (EoI) for new investments to the tune of Rs 888 crore at the Conclave, Mitra told the industry members in a video address on Tuesday. “During Agro Synergy in May, it (investment)was approximately 600 crore. If we combine the 2015 proposed investments and the new projects the figure comes to a staggering Rs 2345.82 crore. This is just an indicative figure,” Mitra said. Stressing that the region offers huge potential, Mitra assured the investors of doing everything to attract investments in North Bengal. The minister also said that West Bengal stands at number one in the country in e-taxation. The CII organised the 5th North Bengal Conclave in association with West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), Government of West Bengal. State Tourism Minister Gautam Deb, who made a strong case for North Bengal as a formidable educational hub, spoke on the need to improve connectivity in the region through development of Asian Highway 2 and 48. “These highways will connect North Bengal with South East Asian countries via Myanmar. Improved connectivity with Bangladesh through road, rail and air is also imperative. A proposal for promoting tea tourism is being prepared at present,” Deb said. The tourism minister also invited investors for the Rs 2,200-crore Gazaldoba tourism project, spanning 208 acres. Apart from resorts, an ayurvedic spa, youth hostel, hospitality training centre, bird watching centre, golf course, boating, and jeep safaris have been planned on the site.