The Hindu : Bengal has a lot to offer, says Swraj Paul

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

Other States

Other States - West Bengal

Bengal has a lot to offer, says Swraj Paul

By Our Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA, JAN. 10. The India-U.K. Round Table, a forum for a high-level civil society dialogue between the two countries, is keen to help West Bengal out in the latter's drive to attract investment both in industry and other development projects. Representing the U.K. delegation, Lord Swraj Paul has described West Bengal as one of the "most unsung'' provinces in the world and has a lot to offer. West Bengal is already one of the largest recipients of British aid.

Talking to newspersons here today, he said the people in the U.K. had the strongest historical and emotional ties with the State than the rest of the country. Referring to the most recent U.K. assistance to beautify the riverfronts of Kolkata, Lord Paul said the Round Table would extend maximum assistance to the State Government to attract investment.

Talking on British companies outsourcing jobs from India, he clarified that the Blair Government had decided not to interfere in the issue.

K.C. Pant, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, representing the Indian side of the forum said Indian companies too were taking greater interest in the U.K. market. The number of students going to the U.K. for higher studies had shot up from as low as 1,500 to 30,000. "We are now trying to encourage the students of the U.K. to come to India for higher education.''

Pinpointing the advantage of such dialogues, Mr. Pant said the Round Table discussed issues in a free and frank manner.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Bengal has a lot to offer, says Swraj Paul