West Bengal with a population of around 83 million account for 7.6 per cent of the country's population. The state's geographical area of 89,000 sq.kms. covers 2.7 per cent of the country's geographical area. The State has 19 districts and Calcutta is the State's capital. There are 23 towns with a population of over 100,000. Population density is 904 persons per sq.km.
West Bengal is the fourth most populous state in India, and ranks first in terms of population density. West Bengal is predominantly an agriculture driven state, however, there has been a rich tradition of industrial setups since the start of the industrial age in India. The state is actively engaging investments in industrial sectors to ensure resurgence in of a glorified past as a leader in industrialization in India.
The economic drivers of the state lie predominantly in a number of industrial thrust areas, both in the services and manufacturing sectors. The state is making an effort to regain its position as a critical hub for multifarious industries, notably iron & steel, petroleum sector, agro based industries, cutting edge technology and the services sector. West Bengal is home to one of the largest consumer markets in the nation.
West Bengal has a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of US$ 75.5 billion and as of August 2009, the state had an installed electricity generating capacity of 7,942 MW. It is the second largest tea-growing state in India and accounts for 24 per cent of the total tea production in India. The state’s total annual production of tea is 226.8 million kg (mkg). Industrial performance in the state, is driven by medium and small scale units. As of September 2007, there were 10,795 small scale industrial units registered with the Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries.
West Bengal is the leading exporter of finished leather goods; around 25 per cent of the country's leather goods are exported from the state. West Bengal accounts for almost 4 per cent of India’s production of petroleum products and 13 per cent of the country’s polymer production. West Bengal has emerged as a favourite destination for the steel industry.
West Bengal is amongst the fastest growing states with regard to the IT and ITeS. The sector is projected to contribute 15-20 per cent to the state’s economy by 2010. Total export earnings of IT companies located in the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was US$ 754.5 million in 2007.
West Bengal faces an exciting, yet challenging period in which it’s faced with the opportunity to make the State progressive and amongst the upper echelons of development. West Bengal can achieve this based on a long-term multi-variable approach with impetus on various sectors. Vision based development is multi-faceted and multi-sectoral and involves not only changes but also transformations in the social, political, technological as well as economic realms. These realms are closely knit and interdependent. West Bengal stands on the cross roads of being in a position to formulate, implement and evaluate the overall upliftment from its existing state to an envisioned one; by reflecting on the past, understanding and overcoming limitations, mistakes and challenges to transform the present to a brilliant future which reflects the aspirations and dreams of the people of the state.
Key Initiatives / Information
CII - West Bengal State Council has been regularly working towards creating a right platform for interaction, meetings while taking up contentious issues with the relevant authorities. The Council’s resolute to strengthen the very fundamentals of economy and build a resonating state remains unabated. West Bengal State Council is also focusing on a) District Development b) Abating Climate Change and c) Disaster Management - the three key areas which require a lot of attention. In addition to the above, the Council has been regularly organizing programs covering different issues & subjects for the benefit of our members. West Bengal @ 2022 is one of the other major initiatives wherein the Council has tried to identify the potential areas of growth and benchmark them for continuous development.
CII News Update
Go Solar, say experts at Seminar and Exhibition on Accelerating Implementation of Solar Water Heating Systems
Greater adoption of solar power technologies will not only reduce the growing dependence on fossil fuel, cut energy costs, create business opportunities and numerous new jobs, but will a.....
Commenting on the Core Committee Meeting with Smt Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mr Sudhir Deoras, Chairman, CII Eastern Region said that “This initiative of bringing all the relevant government departments and the industry under one roof to discuss and deliberate on the in.....
The prevailing economic slowdown, and the resultant job cuts, increment freeze and a host of allied aspects such as inability to meet deadlines and targets, conflicts with co-workers, depression, etc. are fast emerging as a major source of workplace stress, said experts at a Conference on Workplace.....
Luxembourg could be the easiest gateway to Europe for the Indian companies looking to enter the European market, said H E Mr Gaston Stronck, Ambassador of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to India, during an Interactive Session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Eastern Region in Kolk.....
CII with the support of UKFCO took up a project to develop fiscal instruments for low carbon industrial development in the state of West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The activities involved - a review of the state existing policies, developing a report on national and international best practices.....
Remove controls, ease restrictions and let industries do business freely. That was the consensus at the Annual Regional Meeting and Conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry Eastern Region in Kolkata......
The decline in companies’ propensity to raise capital from the market over the past few years is more striking vis-à-vis the other BRIC countries, said Shri U K Sinha, Chairman, SEBI, at an Interactive Session in Kolkata organised by CII Eastern Region. According to him, the trend is alarming for r.....
More than 200 people, including a number of business leaders, donated blood and over 500 people underwent health check-up (cancer screening, ECG, blood sugar, blood pressure, eye check-up, etc.) conducted by a team of medical professionals at 22 Camac Street in Kolkata at a health camp organized by.....
Right policies, transparent and expeditious processing and clearance of projects are key to reviving the stagnant manufacturing sector in the Eastern Region, especially West Bengal, said Prof Saugata Roy, Member of Parliament, at the Manufacturing Colloquium organised by the Confederation of Indian.....
More power for SEBI sought to curb insider trading.
“We have laid down an eight-lane highway,” quipped Mr Ravi Varanasi, Senior Vice President, National Stock Exchange (NSE).
Mr Varanasi said this while describing the financial market infrastructure in India at the Financial Markets’ Conclav.....
CII Awards & Recognitions
Every year CII (ER) has an annual award scheme to recognize the excellence of its members in the sphere of productivity during the year. The award is to recognise excellence in Productivity in an organization. The objective of this award is to give recognition to member companies who are making systematic and serious attempts to enhance productivity. The award was instituted in the early 1980s which recognises significant improvements in productivity as well as achievement of a sustained high level of overall productivity. The Award is presented during the Annual Regional Meeting of CII Eastern Region.
CII (ER) has been giving Quality Awards since 1988. The objectives of presenting these Awards are two-fold.
1. Recognizing a CII (ER) member company, which can serve as a model to others in methods & systems, practiced in pursuing the concept of “Total Quality”.
2. Encouraging competition amongst members for bringing about further improvements in these methods and systems for moving towards “Total Quality”.
CII (ER) has an annual award scheme to recognize the excellence of its members in the spheres of energy sector during the year. The excellence in Energy Conservation (ENCON) Award is to acknowledge the vision and exemplary commitment the CEO and his team has for Energy Conservation. The objective of this Award is to give recognition to the member companies who are making systematic, commendable and serious attempts for efficient utilisation and efforts towards significant improvement in conservation of energy. The Award is presented during the occasion of the Annual Regional Meeting of CII (ER).
CII (ER) has an annual award scheme to recognize the excellence of its members in the spheres of safety sector during the year. The excellence in Safety Health & environment (SHE) Award is to acknowledge the vision and exemplary commitment the CEO and his team has for Environmental Responsibility, concern for occupational Health and Safety of employees and society as a whole. The objective of this Award is to evaluate an Organization’s interest towards the well being of its employees through adequate measures, not only for the Regulatory requirements, but also as a part of the Management’s Commitment towards ensuring that the workforce is adequately protected through effective Safety, Health & Environment measures. The Award is presented during the occasion of the Annual Regional Meeting of CII (ER).
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