US keeps close watch on IT sector in West Bengal
There are winds of change in West Bengal and the state today offers "commercial opportunities" which need to be tapped. But, the state must strive very hard to dispel the "historical perception" among US companies and investors about investment un...
By TNN |
KOLKATA: There are winds of change in West Bengal and the state today offers "commercial opportunities" which need to be tapped. But, the state must strive very hard to dispel the "historical perception" among US companies and investors about investment unfriendly conditions in this region.
As the first principal commercial officer in the US consulate in Kolkata, Ms Aileen Crowe Nandi is focusing hard on carrying the message of the emphasis that West Bengal is placing on drawing investments into the state. "My goal is to project the changed circumstances in the state to US companies which can look at doing business here. I try and focus on the positives.
"But, the historical perception in the US and among US companies about incongenial investment conditions in the state must be removed. The chief minister (Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee) can help in conveying the opportunities that exist now in West Bengal to US government officials during his planned trip to the US," Ms Nandi said.
Of course, West Bengal, like the rest of the country, has to streamline bureaucratic procedures and combat corruption. Ms Nandi was interacting with the media on Friday on the sidelines of a meet organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce titled 'Mangoes & Nukes - The way forward for Indo-US business'.
This abiding negative perception about the state is underscored by the fact that visits by US companies to the state are still at low ebb. A delegation representing 200 US companies, for instance, is travelling to India in December 2006. This is the largest team from US Inc ever to visit India.
Of these, 70 companies will be fanning out across different states to seal deals. However, just three small and medium labels will be visiting West Bengal.
"There is nothing we can do to change this now. These decisions are taken in Washington. The fact is that Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad are talked about more from the industrial standpoint," Ms Nandi said. Of course, a US deputy assistant secretary of state would also be visiting the West Bengal during this period.
As the first principal commercial officer in the US consulate in Kolkata, Ms Aileen Crowe Nandi is focusing hard on carrying the message of the emphasis that West Bengal is placing on drawing investments into the state. "My goal is to project the changed circumstances in the state to US companies which can look at doing business here. I try and focus on the positives.
"But, the historical perception in the US and among US companies about incongenial investment conditions in the state must be removed. The chief minister (Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee) can help in conveying the opportunities that exist now in West Bengal to US government officials during his planned trip to the US," Ms Nandi said.
Of course, West Bengal, like the rest of the country, has to streamline bureaucratic procedures and combat corruption. Ms Nandi was interacting with the media on Friday on the sidelines of a meet organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce titled 'Mangoes & Nukes - The way forward for Indo-US business'.
This abiding negative perception about the state is underscored by the fact that visits by US companies to the state are still at low ebb. A delegation representing 200 US companies, for instance, is travelling to India in December 2006. This is the largest team from US Inc ever to visit India.
Of these, 70 companies will be fanning out across different states to seal deals. However, just three small and medium labels will be visiting West Bengal.
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"There is nothing we can do to change this now. These decisions are taken in Washington. The fact is that Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad are talked about more from the industrial standpoint," Ms Nandi said. Of course, a US deputy assistant secretary of state would also be visiting the West Bengal during this period.
Mr Rakesh Surampudi, political & economic officer at Kolkata's US consulate general, said his office is following recent developments in the state's IT segment against the backdrop of the Citu move to unionise the sector.
"Workers' rights are fine. We have unions in the US too. But, if it ends up inhibiting investment, then it's a matter of concern. We'll have to watch how the December 14 strike revolving around the IT sector plays out," he said.
He added that US and India could operate together on a global scale and the endorsement of the civilian-nuke deal would open up vistas.
"India has a sophisticated financial market, pool of English speaking talent, growing savings and a vibrant democracy." Ms Nandi said that Indo-US bilateral trade will have grown 77% between 2003 and 2006. In 2005, it was pegged at $26.77 billion.
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