Bengal unveils draft industrial policy after long wait

The West Bengal government has unveiled its draft industrial policy after a long wait to woo entrepreneurs by showcasing the state as an attractive investment destination.

The state government uploaded the draft policy on its websites Saturday and invited suggestions from various industry bodies as well as business community.

It said that several incentive schemes for new investors have been incorporated in the draft industrial policy and that thrust has been on setting up industrial parks and hubs in the state largely through public private partnership (PPP) model.

Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said the government would soon publish a document on the new industrial policy.

The Mamata Banerjee-led government was expected to unveil the new policy January this year. Chatterjee said that before drafting the new policy, the government reviewed and studied industrial policies of several other states.

"We kept in view industrial policies of about 10 states while formulating the draft industrial policy," he said.

"We have incorporated in it the issue of land allocation and several incentive schemes which we will offer to the entrepreneurs who will come in our state to set up new industrial units," the minister said.

Stating that the government was "open" to suggestions from the industry till June 30, he said it would incorporate those suggestions "if found practical" in the final industrial policy.

The Banerjee government announced the draft policy two days before completing two years in office.

The state's previous industrial policy was announced in 1994 by the erstwhile Left Front government. Late Jyoti Basu was then the chief minister.