By IANS,
Kolkata : A top US diplomat Friday exuded confidence in the commitment of West Bengal’s new regime to developing bilateral commercial ties but said the region faced stiff competition from other parts of the country.
“I am very confident of US investment in West Bengal. The new regime is committed to creating a congenial environment for development of trade and industry. I personally know (state finance minister) Amit Mitra and other people in the team. I am very confident.
“But they have a very stiff competition from other parts of the country especially Gujarat and the southern states of the country,” Assistant Secretary of State (South and Central Asian Affairs) Robert Blake told media persons after meeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Describing Kolkata as a moving city and its infrastructure development as impressive, Blake said that the entrepreneurial and business spirit of the young entrepreneurs would surely realise the tremendous potential for growth in the region.
Blake also acknowledged the role of city-headquartered Coal India Limited in developing trade ties between the countries and said the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in association with American expertise will start a pilot project for shale gas exploration near Durgapur in Burdwan district.
He said US companies were looking for investments in India including West Bengal in the fields of mining, oil exploration, education and information technology.
Blake was in the city to participate in a programme on India-US business links organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).