Bengal inks 21 pacts with Britain

West Bengal has inked 21 pacts with Britain on investment and other collaborations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday, hoping the signings will open the gates for more dynamic business relations with the European nation.

Banerjee, now on a trip to Britain with a business delegation, said she had an "excellent round" of exchanges with British Minister of State for Employment Preeti Patel and UK India Business Council (UKIBC) chairperson Patricia Hewitt.

"We had an excellent round of exchanges on investment and other collaborations between United Kingdom and Bengal at the historic Locarno Suite of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London," the chief minister posted on her Facebook page.

"My heartiest compliments to Hon'ble Minister, Preeti Patel, UKIBC Chair, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, business delegates of UK and my entire team of Paschimbanga Paribar and industry friends. We have signed 21 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and other business documents between UK and Bengal," she said.

"I am quite optimistic and hope that today's developments will pave way for more dynamic business relations between UK and Bengal across several sectors."

The visit takes place following an invitation from British Prime Minister David Cameron.