Mumbai, Jun 02: Expecting investments of around Rs 2,500 crore in 2003-04, the West Bengal government has identified automobile, textiles and pharmaceutical sectors as areas to be given special attention, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said here today. "As against an investment of Rs 2,326 crore received last year, in current financial year we are expecting an amount of Rs 2,500 crore", Bhattacharjee said at an interactive meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries here.
The investments have been made in iron and steel, chemicals and plastic, cement, food processing industries and edible oil, he said.
Referring to the three sectors in which investments have been sought, the chief minister said, "we have the necessary manpower, skills and even electricity but we still lag behind in auto, textiles and pharma".
The state was setting up agro processing zones, a toy park and biotech facilities and was encouraging private parties to participate in these projects, he said.
Bhattacharjee said he meet several business heads, including Ajay Piramal (Nicholas Piramal India Ltd), Ratan Tata (of Tata group), Adi Godrej (Godrej group of industries), Anand Mahindra (Mahindra group) and M K Sharma (vice-chairman Hindustan Lever Ltd-HLL), for investment opportunities.
Information technology and agri-sector were also promising areas of growth, he said, adding HLL was in final stages of setting up an agro-business while M&M might consider the state's proposal of having a manufacturing unit for agriculture equipment.
Bureau Report