Industrial Development & Economic Growth in West Bengal

West Bengal, India’s sixth largest state in terms of economic size, had a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of US$ 158.40 billion in 2017-18. The state’s GSDP grew at a CAGR of 11.88 per cent from 2011-12 to 2017-18.

West Bengal has 12 growth centres for medium and large scale industries, set up by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). Major industrial areas of West Bengal are Haldia, Kolkata, Asansol-Durgapur region, and Kharagpur.

As of December 17, 2018, West Bengal had 21 SEZs; of which, 7 are operational, 5 are notified, 7 are formally approved and 2 have in-principle approval.

As of May 2019, West Bengal had a total installed power generation capacity of 10,568.22 MW, of which 6,607.95 MW was under state utilities, 2,789.50 MW was under the private sector and 1,170.77 MW was under central utilities. Of the total installed power capacity, 8,697.77 MW was contributed by thermal power, 1,396.00 MW by hydropower and 474.45 MW by renewable power.

The state is the second-largest tea growing state in India. Total tea production in West Bengal stood at 387.86 million kgs in 2017-18, accounting for 29.27 per cent share of India’s total production. Tea production from January to December 2018 reached 385.87 million kgs. Tea production in FY19 reached 394.22 million kgs.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote West Bengal as an investment destination are:

• The state government has introduced West Bengal Information Technology and Electronics Policy 2018 which has envisaged West Bengal as one of the leading states in India in the IT, ITeS, ICT and ESDM sectors.
• In August 2018, the state government has launched the Silicon Valley IT hub project to attract investments in IT/ITeS/ICT and create state-of-the-art ecosystem for new technologies and innovation.
• In state budget 2019-20, an amount of Rs 1,304 crores (US$ 186.58 million) has been allocated to Industries, Commerce & Enterprises Department.
•  Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is going to undertake construction of a 4.38 km stretch of metro rail from Noapara to Dakshineshwar. The work is expected to be completed by May 2019.
• West Bengal plans to raise its share in the country’s IT exports to 25 per cent by 2030. Total export from IT sector of the state is estimated to have crossed Rs. 19,000 crores (US$ 2.83 billion) in 2016-17.

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