Kolkata, May 20 (KNN) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasised the importance of establishing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) throughout north Bengal during the North Bengal Business Meet held in Siliguri on Monday. 

The Chief Minister specifically called for the development of additional industrial parks to accommodate these enterprises.

This initiative appears to be part of a broader strategy by the state government to stimulate smaller-scale industrial investments from private entrepreneurs. 

The primary objectives are to generate employment opportunities and reduce the outmigration of unemployed youth from north Bengal to other states.

“We are encouraging MSME units and working on a specific set of policies to encourage private investments. Major investments are always welcome, but small-scale units, which have mushroomed across north Bengal and in the rest of the state, employ thousands of people. We want more such units to come up,” Chief Minister Banerjee stated during the meeting at Siliguri’s Dinabandhu Mancha on the first day of her three-day visit to the region.

During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated four industrial parks developed by the West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation (WBSIDC). 

These parks are located in Ambari-Falakata and Dabgram in Jalpaiguri district, and Ethelbari and Jaigaon in Alipurduar district.

North Bengal’s economy primarily relies on tea and tourism for employment. 

While MSME units have been established in the region, they have not been sufficient to meet employment demands. 

Consequently, thousands of residents, particularly young people from districts including Malda, North and South Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri, have sought employment in other states.

Chief Minister Banerjee also engaged with representatives from trade organisations across north Bengal districts, stating that the state government is prepared to provide land for industrial parks and clusters.

“We want more such clusters and industrial parks to come up where multiple industrial units can be accommodated. In the four parks which we inaugurated today (Monday), industrial units will provide jobs to around 5,000 people,” the Chief Minister announced.

(KNN Bureau)