The West Bengal government, led by Marxists, has shifted from an investor-unfriendly stance to one that welcomes foreign investment. This is due to efforts to boost the state's economy through new industry-friendly policies, improved infrastructure, and a productive workforce. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya acknowledges that the state must change with the times to provide prosperity. Foreign and domestic investors are increasingly viewing West Bengal as an emerging industrial hub in India, impressed by the government's proactive efforts to attract investment and partner with businesses.

1. The SEZ controversy started when the government of West Bengal decided that the Salim Group of
Indonesia[1][2][3] would set up a chemical hub under the SEZ policy at Nandigram, a rural area in the
district of Purba Medinipur. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandigram_violence)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Cash_and_Carry
The German retailer is among a slew of multi-brand foreign retailers, including Walmart Stores Inc.
and Carrefour SA, which have entered the India’s retail market pegged at Rs 18 trillion annually. In
India, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in wholesale cash-and-carry trade. Up to 51 per cent FDI is also
permitted in single-brand retail trade. Such investment, however, is not allowed in multi-brand
retailing.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-cash-&-carrys-maiden-outlet-in-city-open-
tomorrow/915194/
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1. West Bengal: From rhetoric to pragmatism
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West Bengal: From rhetoric to pragmatism
Until recently West Bengal was known for industrial stagnation, militant trade unionism
and an investor-unfriendly government.
No longer. Marxist-ruled West Bengal has come a long way - from being derided by
investors for shoddy work culture and crumbling infrastructure to a destination that offers
vast potential to a wide spectrum of industrial sectors.
Investments in West Bengal are clearly on the upswing, be it service industries like IT and
outsourcing or manufacturing companies. If official figures are to be believed, industrial
investments in the state have risen from a paltry Rs.4.50 billion in 1992-93 to an inflow of
Rs.20 billion in the past three years.
And as the curtain came down on the high-profile Partnership Summit 2005, organised by
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) that brought together 1,500 delegates globally
here, the state is relishing its moment in the business spotlight.

3. "Although we started late in wooing investments into the state, all our efforts are certainly
gathering momentum now," West Bengal's Minister of Industry and Commerce Nirupam
Sen told.
"In the last few years, we have taken many measures to create industry-friendly policies
and robust infrastructure that has resulted in increased investments inflows, not only from
within India but also overseas."
"There is a radical change in the mind of labour and they have become quite productive.
The frequent labour unrest in the industrial sector is history now."
Although Left parties create hurdles for the United Progressive Alliance government at the
centre on issues of foreign investment, their yearning for inflow of overseas funds into West
Bengal is unmistakable.
"We have created an environment for the inflow of foreign technologies and
investments where they are appropriate and mutually advantageous. We have never
been against foreign investments," said Sen.
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya summed up his government's
attitude towards foreign investments when he said: "We are Marxists. We are not
fools. If the whole world is changing how can we remain unchanged.
"In West Bengal, the Left is right. And this is the right place to invest."
The state has identified petrochemicals, electronics and IT, iron and steel, textiles, leather,
food processing, gems and jewellery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals as thrust areas.
Indian as well as overseas investors, who got an altogether new view of the industrial
scenario in West Bengal during their stay here for the Partnership Summit 2005, clearly
seemed impressed.
"In the last three years, there has been a steep change in the industrial outlook of the state,"
said N. Srinivasan, director general of CII.
"We see much greater proactiveness on the part of the government to attract investments,
partner with the industry and give a comfort level that is so much required," Srinivasan told
.
"The state has gone past the rhetoric stage and we are seeing things happening on the
ground. The government now clearly recognises the fact that common man needs growth
and prosperity and it can only come from increased investments."
On the Marxists government's new found love with foreign investment, Srinivasan said:
"Political rhetoric gets conveerted into pragmatism when you are on the hot seat.
"Whether you are a placard waving Communist or a money flaunting capitalist, when it
comes to increasing prosperity for the common man, you cannot ignore investments."

4. According to Sen, the rise of West Bengal as an industrial heartland can be attributed to its
vast talent pool, natural resources, political stability and social harmony.
The minister said efforts were on to create new infrastructure as well as upgrade the
existing infrastructure facilities in the areas of roads and communication, education,
healthcare system, housing and transport.
"Ours is an investor friendly government with total commitment for steady industrial
growth," he said, adding the ruling Left in partnership with other parties had started
developing industrial parks to boost investments.
The minister said several mega investment projects were on the verge of completion and a
good number of projects were in the pipeline.