The seventh Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 concluded on a high note, marking a significant platform for economic collaboration and investment opportunities. The summit in Kolkata on November 21-22, 2023 featured Malaysia as a partner country, emphasising shared commitments to deepening economic cooperation. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group announced an investment of Rs 45000 Crore in West Bengal, addressing the summit.
In a dynamic session focusing on business collaboration with Malaysia during the Bengal Global Business Summit 2023, Sanjay Budhia, Malaysia’s Consul and Co-Chairman of International Trade & Logistics-BGBS, underscored Bengal’s substantial potential spanning from tourism to trade. The recently concluded BGBS 2023 featured Malaysia as a partner country, symbolizing mutual commitments to economic cooperation, strengthened partnerships, and exploration of new growth avenues. Budhia highlighted the considerable goodwill existing at a people-to-people level, particularly in education, traditional medicine, travel, tourism, and culture.
Companies from Malaysia actively participated in this edition, as Malaysia were the partner country for the Bengal Global Business Summit 2023. The companies from Malaysia have actively explored investment opportunities, particularly in IT services and software development sectors. The forthcoming cable landing station at Digha, with connections to Malaysia, is anticipated to boost business activities significantly. With 11 weekly flights connecting West Bengal and Kuala Lumpur, seamless travel and business interactions are facilitated, as noted by Budhia.
Participants in the session included notable figures such as Shamilah Perumal, Minister (Economic), H.E. Dato’ Muzafar Shah Mustafa, High Commissioner Designate of Malaysia to India, Sanjay Budhia, Consul of Malaysia, Co-Chair of International Trade & Logistics-BGBS, and Surendra Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Govt of West Bengal.
In one of the session at the summit, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, disclosed a substantial investment of Rs 45,000 crore in West Bengal, with an additional Rs 20,000 crore planned over the next three years. Ambani expressed the company’s commitment to accelerating West Bengal’s growth and unveiled the ambitious Reliance Foundation project to renovate and restore Kolkata’s Kalighat temple, including its centuries-old heritage structures.
Acknowledging West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as ‘Agnikanya,’ in alignment with the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s description, Ambani commended her for the brilliance brought forth through struggle and sacrifice. He expressed optimism about the future of ‘Shonar Bangla’ under her leadership. The Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 thus witnessed significant announcements and affirmations of commitment from both Malaysian and Indian business leaders, underscoring the importance of regional partnerships and economic development.
