Bengal, Singapore to work on study paper on business: Mamata

The West Bengal government, in association with the National University of Singapore, will create a study paper with focus parameters to facilitate entrepreneurs, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Thursday.

On her maiden foreign visit after becoming the chief minister, Banerjee, during the day, held discussion with Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

"To facilitate a better understanding of our state for businessmen in both Singapore and West Bengal, we will create a study paper with focus parameters and expertise from National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy," said Banerjee describing her meeting with Shanmugam as "very positive and fruitful".

"The idea was appreciated by Shanmugam who suggested maintaining a key focus on progress and development.

"Our discussion covered the areas of urban and township development, construction, infrastructure planning, tourism, hospitality, human resources and training, and the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) industry," she said.

"There is going to be a business-to-business programme on specific sectors, to be identified through dialogue," added Banerjee who Tuesday met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Banerjee earlier announced setting up a business centre in Kolkata jointly with the Singaporean government and a nodal office of the state's Industrial Development Corporation in the city nation.