Vajpayee asks West Bengal to create 'pro-investment' environment

Wednesday, 16 July 2003, 19:30 IST
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KOLKATA: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Wednesday asked the Communist-ruled West Bengal government to take "pro-investment" initiatives to join the ranks of economically advancing states of India. Vajpayee said the central government would extend full cooperation to the state government in its effort to speed-up socio-economic development. All states, irrespective of the ruling party, are "dear to us", he said. Terming the recent changes in the industrial sector in West Bengal as mild, he said the state could emerge as the economic powerhouse in the eastern region by accelerating the reforms process. "I am happy that, in recent years, winds of change are blowing in West Bengal, although quite mildly so far," Vajpayee told a business gathering, organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here. "There is some improvement in certain aspects of infrastructure. This change needs expansion and acceleration. I urge the state government to create a strong pro-business and pro-investment environment in West Bengal. "For this, the entire government machinery, right down to the last clerk, should gear itself up with a new work culture and a new pro-growth mindset." The prime minister said West Bengal and neighbouring states could profit from the India-China agreement on economic cooperation signed in Beijing last month during his visit. "The opening of trade route to China through Nathu La Pass further strengthens Bengal's location advantage as it can re-emerge as the national transhipment point for the old Silk Route," he said. Noting that West Bengal's per capita income, which was above the national average in 1981, has fallen below the national average now, Vajpayee said employment opportunities could not be created without faster economic growth. "What I would like to say today is that West Bengal should soon become the economic powerhouse of the east and join the ranks of speedily advancing states of India," he said.
Source: IANS
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