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CAIT Predicts Bengal as Trade Hub Under Pro-Business Government

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has stated that West Bengal can re-emerge as a major hub for trade, industry, and employment if it gets a transparent and investor-friendly government. CAIT Secretary and BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticized the state's policy instability over the past 15 years, which he says has led to industrial decline. Subhash Agrawala, an industrialist, emphasized aligning with national initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Ease of Doing Business' to revive the state's economy. CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia expressed confidence that strong leadership can restore Bengal's position as a leading economic centre.

Key Points: CAIT: Bengal Can Become Trade, Employment Hub Again

  • CAIT says Bengal can become a trade and employment hub
  • CAIT Secretary Praveen Khandelwal criticizes past 15 years of policy instability
  • Subhash Agrawala calls for 'Vocal for Local' and 'Make in India' alignment
  • CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia cites need for development-oriented governance
2 min read

Bengal will once again become powerful hub of trade, employment: CAIT

CAIT says West Bengal can become a major hub of trade and employment with a transparent, investor-friendly government aligned with PM Modi's economic vision.

"West Bengal, once counted among the country's leading industrial states, has today fallen behind in the race for investment, employment and industrial development. - Praveen Khandelwal"

New Delhi Ma, y 8

The Confederation of All India Traders on Friday said West Bengal can once again emerge as a major hub of trade, industry and employment if the state gets a transparent and investor-friendly government aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic vision.

CAIT Secretary and BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said the trade and industrial community in West Bengal is now witnessing renewed hope and confidence over the possibility of a BJP-led government in the state.

According to him, industry, trade, MSMEs, traditional businesses and entrepreneurship in West Bengal have faced significant challenges over the past 15 years due to policy instability, declining investor confidence, migration of industries, syndicate culture and administrative pressure.

"West Bengal, once counted among the country's leading industrial states, has today fallen behind in the race for investment, employment and industrial development," Khandelwal said.

He claimed that thousands of MSME units either shut down or shifted operations to other states, while traders, artisans, small industries and traditional businesses did not receive adequate policy support over the past decade.

Khandelwal further said sectors such as tea, jute, handloom, leather, sweets and other small businesses employing lakhs of people suffered due to rising costs, regulatory complexities and inadequate infrastructure support.

He also alleged that GST imposed on chhena-based sweets added further pressure on Bengal's traditional sweet industry.

Meanwhile, Subhash Agrawala, Executive Chairman of CAIT and an industrialist from West Bengal, said the business community believes the state can regain its industrial prominence if it adopts policies aligned with initiatives such as 'Vocal for Local', 'Make in India', 'Startup India' and 'Ease of Doing Business'.

He said traders and industrialists in the state are expecting investor-friendly industrial policies, relief in electricity duty and power tariffs, simplified regulations, a single-window clearance mechanism and stronger support for MSMEs and startups.

Agrawala also emphasised the need for better logistics infrastructure, industrial corridors and policy protection for traditional industries and artisans.

Moreover, CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia said traders in West Bengal are confident that strong leadership and development-oriented governance can help the state reclaim its position as a leading centre for trade, exports, manufacturing and employment generation.

"Now is the time to restore confidence in Bengal, give fresh momentum to industries and take the state once again to new heights of growth and prosperity," Khandelwal said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I'm from Murshidabad and our handloom industry has been struggling for years. The GST on traditional sweets is a real pain—who wants to pay extra for rosogolla? 😤 If a new government can simplify taxes and cut power costs for small units, that would help lakhs of families. But we need action, not just promises.
V
Vikram M
The article talks about 'renewed hope' but I'm skeptical. Bengal has immense potential—tea, jute, leather, IT—but we've seen political instability for decades. The CAIT leaders are right about single-window clearances and industrial corridors, but implementing these takes more than just a change in government. Let's see what the next election brings. 🤔
J
James A
I've worked with MSMEs in West Bengal for years. The 'syndicate culture' is real—it drives away small entrepreneurs. But I also see dedicated local artisans who just need fair policies. The focus on 'Ease of Doing Business' is crucial. If Bengal can match Gujarat or Karnataka on that front, it could boom. Still, words are cheap. Show us the roadmap.
S
Sneha F
I'm a small sweet shop owner in Kolkata. GST on chhena sweets is absurd—it's like taxing our culture! 😡 But I also worry that political change might bring new problems. We need stability, not just slogans. The 'Make in India' push is fine, but for traditional businesses like ours, what we really need is lower compliance burden and better power supply.
R
Rohit L

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