Japanese, Swiss companies keen on assisting Bengal projects

KOLKATA: The International Technical Cooperation Division of Yokohama, a company based in Japan, has shown interest in the ongoing beautification programme of Kolkata, especially its riverside.

State secretariat sources said that a senior Executive of the company Toru Hashimoto, accompanied by the Consul of the Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata Mitsutake Numahata, met West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim to discuss the beautification issue, by helping with its expertise.

"The Japanese company is eager to provide with its technical expertise for the ongoing beautification programme of the city and protection of its river banks from erosion", the sources said.

The minister was not available for comments, but department sources said they would think over the issue and see if funds could be available from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the purpose.

Another company from Switzerland has also evinced interest in setting up projects to supply drinking water after making arsenic-free ground water and then going for its value addition with minerals.

Two officials of the company's India operation, Alok Sinha and B Mahapatra, also met the state Urban Development Minister during the day.

The Swiss company has been asked to make a pilot project, with fund available subject to its success. Area of this pilot project, worth Rs 8 crore, would be finalised soon.