Kolkata, Sep 20 (KNN) A 21-member Chinese trade delegation, who is in West Bengal on a 2-day visit to explore investment opportunities, has also shown their interest in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

A Chinese delegation, representing 13 companies from the country, on Monday began its two-day visit to the state to explore investment opportunities. The delegation – consisting of chief executive officers, vice-presidents and managing directors of 13 different companies met the local business fraternities on a ‘Business to Business’ gathering to discuss trade and investments in Bengal.

Bengal Commerce and Industries Minister Dr Amit Mitra met the Chinese delegates.

Mitra said, “The Chinese companies have also shown their interest in the MSME sector, which will be given support on behalf of the state government as per the industrial policy. The state has 6,000 acre of land in 23 industrial estates.”

“The huge trade deficit shows us that we should do more business with China,” Mitra added.

The Minister revealed that the Chinese investors are interested to invest in the sectors of coal machinery and equipments, metallurgy, mining, electrical, chemical productions, pharmaceutical and medical equipments, biological equipments, hydropower and real estate materials.

The Chinese delegation is interested in manufacturing, infrastructure, real estate and heavy machinery. The scenario of Bengal is business friendly and conducive for investment, the delegation thinks, said Dr Mitra.

The Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao had met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in November 2015, and assured her to send a business delegation to the state.

Additionally, the Chinese delegation will have discussions with Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and also visit a manufacturing zone at Burdwan’s Panagarh to get exact knowledge of investment opportunities in the state.

“The Chinese delegation will visit the Matix factory at Panagarh. It will give them genuine knowledge of industrialisation in the state. As the first phase of its Panagarh urea plant is ready for commissioning, Matix Fertilizers plans to invest Rs 6,500 Cr in the second phase of the project,” the State Commerce and Industries minister said.

 “We have invited the Chinese delegation to attend the Bengal Global Business Summit and I hope they will take a firm decision on investments in the state. Chinese do not take much time. Many countries take time to research, Chinese are not like those. They are always quick to grab the opportunities,” Dr Mitra said. (KNN Bureau)