The Hindu Business Line : Bengal ranks fifth in wooing investments: Survey

"There were about 150 respondents to this survey who are top management executives of different companies. They have a good understanding of the investment climates and scenarios in different States, because their companies not only operate in West Bengal but also in other parts of India. About 17 Indian States were taken into consideration for this survey," said Mr Harsh K Jha, President, ICC at the official release of the survey report here.

Maharashtra has topped the list followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka. However, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has been voted the best Chief Minister in terms of governance and industrialisation drive while his counterpart, Mr Vilasrao Desmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has been ranked third in the survey report.

In terms of current political stability, West Bengal has topped the list followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

The survey report, however, stated that infrastructure and connectivity issues, labour and work culture, bureaucracy and red-tapism are the major constraints for industrial growth in the State.

The respondents also felt that land acquisition for industrialisation has been an area of concern in the State and has suggested that rehabilitation packages should be finalised before land acquisitions. According to the report, agro and food processing is likely to be the most promising sector in the State in next 10-15 years followed by automobiles and auto components and real estate.

According to Mr Jha, this was the first time that ICC had conducted this survey in a formal manner and expects to have similar perception indexes every year to review the industrial environment in the State.

More Stories on : Economy | People | Industry Associations | West Bengal

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page