Suvendu Adhikari eyes Ambani meeting, BRICS dinner as West Bengal steps up investment push

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he is likely to attend a dinner hosted during the BRICS Summit in Delhi on Saturday, and also meet Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai, amid efforts to attract major investments to the state.

Adhikari said he would also attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Adani Group's proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town area near Kolkata on September 24, which the group chairman Gautam Adani is also expected to attend.

The 18th BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with India hosting the meeting of the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.


On his proposed Mumbai visit, Adhikari, at a function here, said he would meet Mukesh Ambani and that the state was seeking greater participation by major corporate groups in West Bengal's development.

He said Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, had called him up and invited him to the family's Ganesh Puja celebrations.

The chief minister also said his government was working for the establishment of a defence project at Junput in Purba Medinipur district.

He said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had sent a letter to the previous TMC government regarding the project, but had not received a response.

"We have responded to that letter," he said.

Adhikari, however, did not elaborate on the proposed project.

According to available information, the DRDO plans to set up a centre at Junput for testing the country's weapon systems.

Adhikari said the Rs 6,000-crore expansion project of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd has been completed and is ready for inauguration.

The CM said he would inaugurate the facility before Durga Puja.

He said the government would shortly hand over land to 33 companies to set up their projects.

The announcements come as the BJP-led state government seeks to project West Bengal as an investment destination and attract companies from across the globe.

The proposed Adani hospital is among the major projects being showcased by the government. Adhikari had earlier announced that the New Town facility would have 2,000 beds, with half of those intended for economically weaker sections.

Adhikari said attracting major national and international players to West Bengal would help expand the state's economic activities and revenue base, allowing greater spending on education, healthcare and infrastructure.

"International and national players are there for rejuvenation of West Bengal's economy. Business can be carried out together and the revenue generated by the state can be used for education, health and infrastructure," he added.