Mr. Bratya Basu, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Information & Technology & Electronic Department, Government West Bengal, had a meeting with AmCham Eastern Region members. The purpose of the meeting was for the Minister to understand from the American IT companies what was required to make West Bengal a leading investment destination and if the organizations were facing any difficulty working in the state.  The AmCham delegation was led by Mr. K.P. Sengupta, Chairman – Eastern Region, AmCham.  AmCham presented a position paper to the Minister which listed what the industry felt would assist attracting investment into West Bengal.  Some of the salient points were:

• Working on issues such as safety, aesthetics, traffic management, zero noise pollution, ease of movement and parking, removal of over-head wires, introducing an internal transportation system, regulating street hawkers, improving the drainage, freeing up pavements for pedestrians.

• Respond positively to potential investors requirements, extend the benefits of an SEZ to potential investors.  This would go a long way towards rapid growth of the industry.
• Cable Landing Station at Haldia, the Minister was informed that AmCham had already submitted a position paper on this to the IT Department and would be happy to resubmit to enable this to be taken forward.

AmCham Eastern Region reiterated that it would be happy to work with the Government of West Bengal on the suggestions above and look forward to being a meaningful partner of the West Bengal Government in developing the IT/ITES industry in the state.