West Bengal Industry Minister welcomes Foundation Industries Business Delegation from UK

Feb 27, 2023

KOLKATA, 27 February 2023: Dr Shashi Panja, Minister in Charge, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Govt of West Bengal, today met a Foundation Industries Delegation from the UK that is currently on a two-day visit to the state.

The Global Business Innovation Programme, led by Innovate UK and, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) India, is being delivered by Innovate UK EDGE. The delegation brings together a cohort of UK's most promising entrepreneurs delivering sustainable solutions for the foundation industries, with the objective to pursue export and partnership opportunities with key decision-makers, end-users, partners, and institutions. The delegation is supported by FICCI and British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata.

Addressing the delegates, Dr Panja said that the foundation industry is a thrust sector for the Govt of West Bengal and the government realises the importance of decarbonising industries.

The delegation was also addressed by Ms Vandana Yadav, Principal Secretary, Industry, Commerce & Enterprises Department and Chairperson & Managing Director, WBIDC, Govt of West Bengal. Ms Yadav mentioned that UK and West Bengal have shared a broad based, well rounded and a robust relation and the state government further looks to deepening business ties backed by innovation and research.

Mr Harish, Executive Director, WBIDC, gave a detailed presentation on investment opportunities in the state.

FICCI, as the national industry partner, also organized a Business Forum and facilitated several B2B Meetings with local industry representatives. The delegation will be visiting the Ranihati Foundry Park Howrah and Poly Park, Sankrail, tomorrow. A business roundtable with Tata Steel is also scheduled with the visiting delegation.

The UK delegation was represented by companies from the Additive Manufacturing, Biotech, Climate Tech, Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), Energy Storage, Chemicals, Cement, Construction, Real Estate and Glass Industries.