KOLKATA — West Bengal needs to aggressively invite high-tech and deep-tech industries to the state because these sectors create a strong multiplier effect on the economy, state Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said on Friday.
Speaking at a felicitation event and interactive session organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) at Taj Bengal, Dasgupta emphasised the need to frame proactive policies to attract sectors like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and data centres. He noted that while these industries require significant amounts of water and power, solar energy could serve as a potential solution.
Addressing the broader economic landscape, the minister stated that reviving the manufacturing sector will take time following past events like Singur.
To resolve ongoing land availability issues, the minister announced that the state government will acquire land on behalf of industry and infrastructure projects.
The administration also plans to introduce legislation regarding land frozen in closed industries, implement a moderate tax regime focused on compliance, and list the West Bengal Power Development Corporation as part of its disinvestment policy.
In her welcome address, MCCI President Priti A. Sureka stated that reversing the state’s economic decline requires modern and purposeful policies. She highlighted the need to balance welfare measures with investment incentives, create long-term assets through infrastructure capital formation, and enhance youth employability through skill development.
(This report was drafted with the assistance of AI and verified by a human editor.)