Kolkata: A large majority (78 per cent) of the top corporates in West Bengal have lauded the confidence-building measures taken by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. They have rated his efforts as the most important factor for any perceived positive change in the State's business environment, according to a survey.

The survey on corporate perceptions was recently conducted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on the eve of the ongoing Assembly elections.

The change in the mindset of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) towards industry was ranked as the second most important factor. A proactive bureaucracy was cited as the third major reason. A number of respondents also said that the proactiveness was only seen at senior levels and that there was an "inertia to change" at other levels.

Fifty-four per cent of the respondents thought the performance of the Left Front Government relating to industrialisation and the creation of a congenial business environment was good. According to the survey, corporate leaders commented: "The Government being stable, there is a sense of continuity and consistency, the behaviour pattern is predictable and preferable by business." But there were also some who said, "In spite of the best efforts by the Chief Minister, his vision has not percolated down."

Acknowledging the changing investment scenario, respondents ranked West Bengal as the third most attractive destination after Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Not `same language'

On whether they had perceived any positive change in the industrial and business climate in the last five years, 57 per cent spoke of a significant change. One comment was: "It takes three steps forward and two steps backward. Bandhs and strikes continue. Government and the party don't speak the same language."

Eighty-two per cent wanted bold measures from the new government (after the ongoing Assembly elections) to tackle bandhs and illegal strikes, and 75 per cent felt the need for a more aggressive policy to deal with irresponsible trade union activity. Eighty-three per cent of the respondents said that nurturing business confidence was one area where the Left Front Government had scored in the last five years.On areas where the Government had fallen short of expectations, 37 per cent said it had not delivered in terms of foreign direct investment.

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