INDIAN STATES : WEST BENGAL

General Information

West Bengal is located at the centre of the eastern region of India. It is strategically positioned with three international frontiers, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The state of West Bengal borders the states of Bihar, Orissa, Sikkim and Assam. It stretches for about 700 Km, from the Bay of Bengal in the South to the mighty Himalayas in the North.

West Bengal has emerged as a prime investment destination in India with a large number of foreign investments at Howrah and Kolkata. Haldia is set to be the next petrochemical hub. The steel city of Durgapur and the colliery belts of Asansol are gaining popularity as a ferro alloy hub. The northern parts of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri are also attracting scores of investors. Total investments in the state during 1991-2003 stood at Rs.24,436 crores. In 2004, it further rose to 26,480 crores and the quantum of investments is increasing by the year.

Fact File

Source: Economic Survey of West Bengal 2005-06

Climatic Information

Temperature:

• Summer : 24 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius
• Winter : 7 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius
• Average temperature in March ranges from 28 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius.
• Monsoon: June-September
• Rainfall: 175 Cms (yearly average)

Advantage West Bengal

• The fourth largest growing state in India with the second largest recipient of investments in the country.
  
• West Bengal being an agrarian state offers tremendous potential for agri-business, with fertile soil, five agro-climatic zones and aggressive land reform programmes.
  
• Drastic progress with regard to infrastructure development with reference to flyovers etc.
  
• Significant improvements in the urban infrastructure scenario with reference to water supply, restructuring connectivity etc.
  
• The state has been receiving a number of investments in the iron and steel, chemicals, plastic, information technology and the biotechnology sector.
  
• Landmark developments in real estate scenario.
  
• Provision of high quality power at competitive rates and grid improvements.
  
• Tremendous potential for investment opportunities in the information technology sector, with employment opportunities of high-end jobs in the software industry. The Thrust areas in information technology include software development, niche hardware manufacture, IT real estate, IT enabled services, IT-security etc.
  
• Talented pool of human resources, with forward-looking academic and technology learning centres.
  
• The dairy sector portrays a promising sector with various innovation strategies undertaken currently by the state cooperative sector.
  
• Immense potential for the development of Tourism and related activities.