An interactive session organised on November 29 by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) saw Sanjeev Sanyal, member, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India, share his thoughts with the business community on “Central importance of Kolkata to eastern India’s Economic Prosperity”.
Addressing the gathering, Sanyal said, “Being centrally positioned, Kolkata is the most important city in eastern India and so, the city has to pull its weight rapidly.”
Kolkata must become a vibrant domain for the young. Sanyal said Kolkata’s opportunities lie in ambitiously reimaging itself for the future. It has to be seen as a city that aspires and has the drive. Much of the urban regeneration is cash positive and they will sustain themselves. Strong linkages must be created with immediate hinterland regions like Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. Eastern India must have a mega city which would drive the urbanisation of the entire region and Kolkata has that potential. The issue of brain drain needs to be addressed.
Sanjeev Sanyal addressing BCC&I members and stakeholders during the interactions
Eastern India has lesser resources
Sanyal also said by and large, the eastern part has comparatively lesser resources than the western region of the country. “There is no such thing called poorer people, there are only poorer places. While geography matters, urbanism and urban hubs matter more.”
According to him, every single developed society has a strong urbanised core and very often large cities or networks of cities are the ones that drive the economic engines. Urban centres are a critical part of getting growth, prosperity and improving social indicators.
“Mumbai will soon get a 25km-long brand new Marine Drive connected with the Metro rail,” he said.
Sanyal was invited as the honorary member to The Bengal Chamber, the oldest chamber of commerce in the country dating back to 1833, and was requested to join its managing committee as a special invitee.
(L-R) Subhodip Ghosh, director general, The Bengal Chamber; Subir Chakraborty; Sanjeev Sanyal; Abhijit Roy, vice-president, The Bengal Chamber & MD & CEO of Berger Paints at the event
Speaking on the occasion, Subir Chakraborty, president, The Bengal Chamber and managing director & CEO of Exide Industries Limited, said, “The Bengal Chamber’s emphasis is on para-diplomacy or even city-diplomacy, wherein the city and its institutions become a part of the international networks on a global stage with the aim to represent the regional as well as national interests in the fields of national security, sustainable development, economic partnerships, cultural ties, administrative networks, and city narratives. This can lead to eastern cities, spearheaded by Kolkata, emerging as key levers in the country’s foreign policy efforts, led by economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with neighbouring countries and the region.”
