“The BGBS got off to a flying start. The positivity, both in the statements made by the Hon’ble Governor and Hon’ble CM as well as all the industry captains augurs well for the state and its industry. Bengal has many advantages and strengths and such events help showcase these and more. At a time when every country and every state in the country is competing for both attracting investments and boosting business, the BGBS will go a long way in sending a strong message to one and all that Bengal means Business.” – said Rishabh C. Kothari, President, MCCI
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry co-partnering with the Consulate of Netherlands in Kolkata hosted Country Session on Netherlands at 6th Edition of Bengal Global Business Summit 2022 on April 20, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
The Country Session was addressed by His Excellency Mr. Marten Van Den Berg, Ambassador, Netherlands and Mr. Prabhat Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Investigation and Development, Principal Secretary (Additional Charge), Irrigation and Waterways, Government of West Bengal.
Mr. Namit Shah, Consul General of Netherlands, Mr. Arnoud Besseling, Netherlands Finance Investment Agency, Mr. Pieter Paul Van Meel, Dutch Water Expert, Mr. Michiel Van Erkel, Agricultural Counsellor, Netherlands Embassy and Mr. Joost Geijer, Head–Economic Affairs, Netherlands Embassy also addressed the Session to discuss the opportunities which would help to build a win-win situation for India and Netherlands.
10 Dutch Companies namely Boskalis, Van Oord India Pvt. Ltd., Vopak India Pvt. Ltd., Royal IHC, ICCo, New Delhi, Allround, Royal Haskoning DHV, Solidaridad Asia and Biosfera participated as the business delegation in this Country Session.
In this context, Mr. Rishabh Kothari in his Welcome Address mentioned that West Bengal is among the top 10 states in India which attracted US$ 1 billion FDI equity in flow in the last year. To ensure the water security in the area like Sundarbans and coastal areas like Digha, Netherlands and West Bengal can work together to address the issue. Indo-Dutch relations date back more than 400 years. In 1604, the Dutch East India Company began trading in India, first establishing itself in Dutch Coromandel, notably Pulicat, Tamil Nadu, looking for textiles to exchange with the spices they traded in the East Indies. Diplomatic relations between India and Netherlands have completed 75 years in 2022 in which year India has been celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The Netherlands is India’s 3rd largest trading partner in the European Union. In 2021-22, the two way bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.68 as compared to US$ 3.15 billion in 2020-21. Thus, trade between the two countries approximately doubled in the post COVID Period. The Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign investor in India during FY 2021-22 with FDI equity inflows of US$ 1 billion.
While speaking about the infrastructural condition in Sundarbans, Mr. Prabhat Kumar Mishra said that over the last 3 years, West Bengal has witnessed 3 major cyclones and the areas of Sundarbans were hugely affected due to these natural calamities. “The Government of West Bengal has expressed the interest to collaborate with Netherlands in water reservation, agriculture and aquaculture” – said Mr. Mishra.
“A expert team from Netherlands has visited to Sundarbans to resolve the issues of Costal area.”– informed by Mr. Mishra.
His Excellency Mr. Berg mentioned that Netherlands is keen to build a partnership in agriculture, aquaculture focusing on technical know-how, horticulture and maritime, developing of infrastructure for deep sea-port project of West Bengal etc.. Moreover 350 Dutch companies have been working in India in the sectors like energy, health, agriculture, maritime services. Mr. Ambassador stressed upon the sustainability and eco-friendly investment in West Bengal. His Excellency proposed to collaborate with the leather sector in West Bengal to develop eco-friendly leather production.
“We can share our expertise in smart diary farming, precision farming with West Bengal “ – said Mr. Arnoud Besseling, Netherlands Finance Investment Agency. He further mentioned that India is the food basket of the world and Netherlands would like to work with West Bengal in this area.
Source :MCCI
