Mamata’s London Trip: In Tow are Businessmen, Babus, Police Chief

Mamata set to visit London to hardsell West Bengal. But will she succeed? asks Payal Mohanka.

The London Junket

• Bengal CM will lead a 75-member delegation between July 27 and 30
• UK India Business Council and FICCI will hold an interactive panel discussion in London on July 27
• The focus of the session will be on the emerging opportunities in West Bengal
• There is skepticism on Bengal’s claim to be focused on improving ease of doing business and transparency
• Land, infrastructure and labour are real issues facing the government

While Calcuttans wait for their city to be transformed into London, as once promised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state administration is giving the final touches on its latest jamboree – ‘Bengal In London’ from July 27 to 30.

Led by Mamata, the 75-member delegation to London has been handpicked by the chief minister. It’s a motley crew comprising industrialists, politicians, bureaucrats, cultural luminaries, film stars-turned-parliamentarians, academics and, hold your breath, Kolkata’s police commissioner. While some have a distinct contribution to make, others are being rewarded by Mamata.

There is an air of secrecy, as officials from both Bengal and Britain put the programme together.

State Commerce, Industries and Finance Minister Amit Mitra, has managed to rope in the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) whose annual summer delegation is supporting Bengal’s endeavours in this exercise. Mitra is a former FICCI secretary general.

The UK India Business Council and FICCI are organising an interactive panel discussion in London on July 27 which will offer an opportunity to interact with a delegation comprising industry seniors like Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej, ITC Chairman YC Deveshwar, TIL Managing Director Sumit Mazumder and FICCI President Jyotsna Suri. The high-powered team includes industrialist YK Modi and HSBC’s Naina Lal Kidwai.

Attracting Investors

Although the business delegation is from across India, the focus of the session is the emerging opportunities in West Bengal. The organisers say that, “West Bengal has a strong consumer base, rich mineral resources and a large talent pool. Its economy is growing – Gross Value Added (GVA) of 10.48% in 2014-2015 as compared to national average 7.5%.”

While the state government claims to be focusing on improving the ease of doing business and ensuring time-bound delivery of services and transparency, there is a great deal of apprehension.

Will Mamata be able to attract investors? Or will this just end up as ‘a well-deserved break’ after her party’s victory in the municipal elections a few months ago? Bureaucrats point out that the fundamentals are not in place. Land, infrastructure and labour are real issues facing the government.

While there are whispers about the lack of coordination which could result in an uncertain outcome, there is optimism in the air. During the Kolkata Business Summit in January this year, MoUs worth Rs 241,300 crores were signed. A state industry department official says, “Work to the tune of about Rs 90,000 crores has already begun. We have several plans for London and will be showcasing opportunities in Bengal across sectors.”

A British official points out that in Britain the perception of Bengal is negative. “We still remember Singur and 34 years of Communist rule. If you want to build a relationship of trust, you need to address smaller groups. You can’t just stand on a podium and aggressively sell your state. You need to understand perceptions, you need to listen to people and address those issues. Moreover, businessmen will not come if you need investment, they will come if they can make money,” he says.

Lack of available land is not a worrisome issue, the official who prefers to remain anonymous, says, adding that “99% of British companies are SMEs, the service industry is a major part of the British economy. Kolkata has what we need: good office infrastructure, WiFi connectivity and talented people.”

Bengal’s Image Makeover?

There is a spirit of buoyancy among those getting ready for the trip. A prominent Bengal industrialist points out, “We live in an era of competitive federalism. Each state needs to project its potential and opportunities. London, Europe’s financial capital, which is also home to a large Bengali diaspora, is the best place for the government to pitch. We hope this large population of Bengali professionals will be our ambassadors of goodwill. It is a step in the right direction.”

While the thrust is largely on business, there will be a cultural evening on July 28 at the Natural History Museum. This will be a combined FICCI-state government Bengal event, with a FICCI-hosted reception followed by an evening with Bengal’s musical maestros. Classical vocalist Rashid Khan, percussionist Bickram Ghosh and popular singer Usha Uthup will regale the audience.

Sources say that 25 MoUs will be signed, mostly cultural and educational. The vice-chancellor of Presidency University is also part of Mamata’s team.

On an aside, Bengal’s plans to replicate the London Eye is still pending. The state government had visualised a similar giant Ferris wheel on the bank of the Hooghly. While the state government and the Calcutta Port Trust have sorted out their issues, there is lack of clarity regarding London-based promoter Sudipto Bose’s plans.

Mamata’s forthcoming business delegation has enthused both industry and the state bureaucracy. As one bureaucrat puts it, “Our chief minister is ready to project herself as a ‘Biswa Bangla’ leader. She is straddling the seas with her ‘Brand Bengal’ and like a colossus will step into Britain, then take a giant step to the US.”

Bengal waits with bated breath.

(The writer is a Kolkata-based senior journalist.)