Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s mission to attract investments for the state takes her to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she arrived on Thursday. During her visit, she plans to participate in a series of meetings, including a business summit, and has extended invitations to Dubai Port officials to attend the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2023. This comes after her successful tour of Spain, where she sought to strengthen cultural ties and secure investments for West Bengal.
Mamata’s UAE Visit for Investment Opportunities
Mamata Banerjee’s journey to the UAE follows her brief stopover in Dubai after departing from Spain on September 12. Her primary objective is to encourage investments in West Bengal, and her visit has already kickstarted with high-level meetings at Dubai Port.
Delegates from Bengal, led by Chief Secretary H.K. Dwivedi and Principal Secretary (Industries) Vandana Yadav, held discussions with senior officials from Dubai Port, as well as representatives from the Consulate of India in Dubai and FICCI. The talks focused on the potential for port and logistics development in West Bengal, as well as the establishment of industrial parks and common processing facilities.
Among the key attendees from Dubai Port were Ahmad Al Mazroui, Ebtesam Al Kaabi, and Kevin D’Souza. During these discussions, Bengal’s chief secretary extended an invitation to the top leadership of Dubai Port, a fully owned subsidiary of the Dubai Government, to participate in BGBS 2023 and explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
Prior Successes in Spain
Before her UAE visit, Mamata Banerjee’s tour of Spain yielded fruitful results. She underscored the cultural ties between Spain and India and secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with La Liga. This engagement emphasized her commitment to fostering strong relationships between the two nations.
Upcoming Engagements in Dubai
During her two-day stay in Dubai, Mamata Banerjee intends to meet with a group of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and engage in further discussions with potential investors from the UAE. Her visit is seen as a critical step in the state’s pursuit of foreign investments and economic development.
Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to remain in Dubai until her planned return to Kolkata on September 23.
