Mamata Banerjee considering a visit to Singapore

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seriously considering a visit to Singapore at the invitation of its government to improve relations with West Bengal.

"Minister for External Affairs in Singapore K Shanmugam has invited the chief minister to visit his country to improve relations between the city-state and Singapore. The CM is seriously considering it," Finance Minister Amit Mitra said here today.

Mitra said Banerjee's visit was yet to be firmed up. He was speaking to reporters after a high-level delegation of the Changi Airports International from Singapore, which is developing the first private airport at Andal in the state along with its partner BAPL, called on Banerjee.

Mitra said the private airport at Andal in Burdwan district would be operational by the year-end.

"All complications following some local issues are cleared. Rs 1,000 crore has been spent in the first phase", he said.

"The CAI has agreed to increase its stake in the project from 26 per cent to 33 per cent," Mitra said.

"The airport city project 'Aerotropolis' will draw an investment of about Rs 5,000 crore," he added.