The nations participating in the state’s flagship industry event — Bengal Global Business Summit — are keen to explore opportunities after a two-year pause.

The sixth edition of BGBS, which is scheduled for April 20 and April 21, will have 14 partner countries — Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, according to the website of the summit.

A total of 25 countries have informed the state that they are sending delegations .

“The UK’s department for international trade will be bringing a 35 member business delegation to the summit, the largest in recent times,” said Yemi Odanye, deputy head of mission, British Deputy High Commission, at a conclave organised by the Merchants Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

Odanye said around 18 companies are looking to expand or relocate their investment to Bengal.

Odanye cited the example of Go Zero, a British e-bike maker, which has entered India and established its base in Calcutta.

He said soon an inward investment in the railway sector is likely to be announced.

Zha Liyou, consul-general of People’s Republic of China, proposed the establishment of sister relationships between Indian industry clusters such as the one around Durgapur airport and Chinese clusters.

“Japan is one of the partner countries this year. A Japanese business delegation as well as a government delegation will participate in this summit,” said Yamasaki Matsutaro, acting consul-general of Japan.

He added that Japanese companies are keen to explore business opportunities in eco-friendly mobility.

Manfred Auster, consul- general of Germany, said governments need to take into account a zero emission economy while framing business policies.

Eshor Raj Poudel, consul- general of Nepal, said education, infotech human resources are among the areas where greater co-operation can be explored.