Singapore to set up business centre in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee assures land will not be an issue for industry

Kolkata will see the setting up of a joint business centre in collaboration with Singapore, a decision taken in the visit of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The chief minister has also extended her invitation for better investment in the Rajarhat Financial Hub. She has conveyed that there will be no problems with the land acquisition if someone wants to set up manufacturing industry in the state, reported 24 Ghanta, the Bengali news channel which is a part of Zee Group.

On the second day of her visit, she met Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, where she said that West Bengal must be given priority for new investments Singapore makes in India. To facilitate more investment, Singapore will set up a new business centre in Kolkata, the work for which will be completed over the next 18 months.

Banerjee has also asked the prime minister to make Kolkata a part of the Indo-Singapore ties Diamond jubilee celebrations. On Wednesday, Singapore will also hold an industrial summit where industrialists from Kolkata will explain why Bengal is a good investment destination.

The visit follows an invitation by Singapore government and Changi International. The latter is already setting up a new airport, township, including an IT and logistics hub in Andal in Burdwan district of the state.

Mamata Banerjee is on a five day tour to Singapore, accompanies by a huge delegate of politicians and industrialists including Finance Minister Amit Mitra, industrialist Sanjay Budhia, Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra. She will meet different sectors of industries including the Port management Committee. She will also speak at the Indo-Singapore Chamber of Commerce tomorrow.