"Durgapur-Asansol region has significant investment potential. Coal, power, water, good roads, skilled manpower - everything is available here for industries and businesses to flourish," she said.
"Investment proposals worth more than Rs 74,000 crore in steel, fertilisers, ceramic Tiles, Aerotropolis, Petrochemicals, Coal Mines are taking shape in the region including the adjoining areas of Birbhum," Banerjee who was speaking at the inauguration of 3rd industry and trade fair, 2015 here said.
"We are expecting more investments to flow into the region along with other parts of our state. We will set up a Core Committee with representatives of industry, business and government officials in Asansol to look into smooth progress of industry, trade and commerce here," she added.
"We will also set up a Unique Clearance Centre in Burdwan to facilitate speedy disposal of mutation and conversion of land for industrial purposes and MSME Facilitation Centres in Durgapur and Burdwan," Mamata said.
They include Rs 40,000-crore investment for the expansion of the public sector Durgapur steel plant, a Rs 3,200-crore road project as well as a 1,500 MW power project, she said.
"The projects will create employment opportunities as well," she said at the fair which was attended by several industrialists, chambers of commerce and other trade bodies in this industrial town.
"Plans are there to start a Rs 3,200-crore road project as well as a 1,500 MW power project, which together would enable 16,000 persons to get jobs," she said without much elaboration.