As the eighth edition of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) concluded in Kolkata on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the two-day conclave a success and said the state received investment proposals of over Rs 4.40 lakh crore.
Asserting that the state remains a “prime destination” for investors, she said 212 MoUs and Letters of Intent (LoIs) were signed during the summit, the key one being an oil exploration project with the ONGC.
“Today, I am proud to say we received investment proposals of Rs 4,40,595 crore in BGBS 2025. This will create thousands of job opportunities in West Bengal,” the chief minister said at the concluding session of the Summit that was moderated by Principal Chief Advisor to CM Amit Mitra.
In the previous edition of the BGBS, held last year, the state government had received investment proposals of Rs 3.76 lakh crore. “This significant progress underscores the state’s commitment to delivering on investment promises and its growing appeal as a business hub,” she added.
“The response has been overwhelming… It is not Bengal Global Business Summit, it is the World Business Summit,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister announced that her government has signed an MoU with the ONGC for an oil exploration project in Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas where 15 acres of land will be given to the Maharatna PSU for Re 1. “Soon, ONGC will begin commercial oil extraction in Ashoknagar,” the chief minister said.
“Today was the day for small industries. Sixteen sectorial meetings were held today and several MOUs were signed… After the inaugural session yesterday, I individually met (Reliance Industries chairman) Mukesh Ambani and Sajjan Jindal (of JSW). They shared their investment plans. They assured me of many other things that will come up in future,” the CM said without elaborating.
On Wednesday, Ambani had promised to double the investment in West Bengal to Rs 1 lakh crore by the end of the decade and announced plans to expand his retail and AI business in the state. Jindal, on the other hand, announced an investment of Rs 16,000 crore to build an 800 MW power plant in Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district, and the development of Durgapur airport as the second largest airport in West Bengal.
Stating that 20 partner countries were involved in the Summit, with representatives from an additional 20 countries attending, the chief minister said: “From Kenya to the UK, they invited us to visit their country… I thank you and I am humbled by your presence.”
The CM also noted that the Summit included a large exhibition with 215 stalls showcasing various industries.
Crediting her government’s development efforts since 2011 for uplifting 1.72 crore people above the poverty line, Banerjee said: “Our focus on infrastructure, industry, and social welfare has led to significant progress… In the last 14 years, our infrastructure development has been remarkable… There is no place like Bengal where you have a global standard convention centre, exhibition centre, poultry to IT, we have all… We are proud of our achievements.”
“We reduced unemployment. We launched 94 social schemes resulting in massive changes in Bengal… We give free cycles to all students of class 8 and 9. We give smartphones to all class 10 students,” she said.
Banerjee reiterated her message of unity and communal harmony, stating that the state does not divide people but brings them together. “We are proud of our state, especially because we don’t divide people; we unite them. We love temples, mosques, and churches. We respect all religions, castes, and communities. We must live in harmony, exchange views, and take part in all religious festivals,” she said.
“Without humanity, one cannot survive. We see unity in diversity as our pride. I appeal to you all to come and visit us again and again,” the chief minister told the delegates.
Acknowledging the work of various government departments for organising the Summit, the CM, “The MSME, Land, Power Department, IT, Cultural Department, Health and Education Department all worked hard for the BGBS. Bengal is the future destination for the world economy.”
Banerjee concluded by emphasizing the state’s continued commitment to business-friendly policies and infrastructure development, underscoring that over 5,000 investors and representatives attended this year’s summit.