Mamata meets Bhutan PM, talks about business ties

On a visit to Bhutan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday met Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of Bhutan-Bengal collaboration.

"The talks with the prime minister were very cordial and positive. We discussed at length various areas of Bhutan-Bengal collaboration and other important issues," said Banerjee.

The chief minister along with state ministers and government officials on Monday reached the neighbouring country following an invitation by Tobgay.

Later in the evening, she participated in a business conclave attended by industry captains from Bengal and Bhutan.

"I mentioned setting up of a dedicated business corridor with Bhutan and other neighbouring countries through extensive development of road connectivity.

"I also mentioned development of an economic and transport corridor linking Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal. A protocol on this will soon be signed in West Bengal," she said.

"We deliberated on the prospects of Bhutan-Bengal business possibilities," said Banerjee.

She said she has invited Togbay to the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in Kolkata on January 8-9, 2016.

"For a landlocked country like Bhutan, the transport corridor will open connectivity with Bangladesh through India, Bengal which can boost trade and commerce. It will also give to the people of Bhutan greater access to healthcare and education opportunities in Bengal and beyond and flourish tourism opportunities," Banerjee added.