08-05-2006, 07:34 PM
US charmed by changing Bengal
[ 5 Aug, 2006 0950hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
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KOLKATA: The US is looking at Brand Bengal with new eyes. Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, met Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday and was all praise for the go-getter Chief Minister and Bengal's rising stock in the global market.
He invited Bhattacharjee over to the US but the chief minister politely refused, hinting he would go there only when he had a concrete plan in hand.
According to sources, Boucher had a 45-minute discussion with the chief minister at Writers' Buildings. The CM told Boucher that the state wants more investment from US companies, as well as collaboration not just in business and investment, but also in education. Praising the CM after the meeting, Boucher told reporters, "Here is someone inside the system... on the ground... who's sincere and trying hard to improve the situation."
The US official said the situation in Bengal has "improvedâ. According to Boucher, the talks on Friday gave him a chance to look at the progress being made in West Bengal.
"I am glad to be here. We talked about a lot of things on the economic and business climate. The CM has plans to improve the economic life in West Bengal," he said, adding that US would try to contribute towards the economic development of Bengal.
He promised to talk to US companies about the situation in West Bengal. "We are talking to US companies about the improved situation in West Bengal and trying to organise trade delegations," Boucher later said at an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce.
"A US business delegation to India has also been scheduled sometime in November-December," he said. Boucher said the state has a very "good climate" for business and there are significant areas for cooperation which would bring Bengal better economic status.
He added that Indo-US relations have developed greatly in the last few years. "US and India will agree on every single issue," he said, adding that the two countries are working on a "very positive deep economic and commercial partnership".
"We are hopeful of witnessing some more positive outcomes in the Senate House next month," Boucher said, pointing out that among others, Indo-US Nuclear deal is also expected to be approved.
"India's economy is booming and US sees immense opportunities to grow," Boucher said. Some of the areas US companies are now interested in are irrigation, communication, port, airport, agriculture, food processing, bio-tech and also education, he pointed out.
Speaking on the recent WTO talks, Boucher said, US is looking towards a successful completion of the Doha round.
He added his country was ready to offer "more flexibility" on contentious issues and substantial "subsidies in agriculture" would also be offered.
"Proper economic steps should be taken and countries need to work together for the successful completion of Doha round," he added.
[ 5 Aug, 2006 0950hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
KOLKATA: The US is looking at Brand Bengal with new eyes. Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, met Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday and was all praise for the go-getter Chief Minister and Bengal's rising stock in the global market.
He invited Bhattacharjee over to the US but the chief minister politely refused, hinting he would go there only when he had a concrete plan in hand.
According to sources, Boucher had a 45-minute discussion with the chief minister at Writers' Buildings. The CM told Boucher that the state wants more investment from US companies, as well as collaboration not just in business and investment, but also in education. Praising the CM after the meeting, Boucher told reporters, "Here is someone inside the system... on the ground... who's sincere and trying hard to improve the situation."
The US official said the situation in Bengal has "improvedâ. According to Boucher, the talks on Friday gave him a chance to look at the progress being made in West Bengal.
"I am glad to be here. We talked about a lot of things on the economic and business climate. The CM has plans to improve the economic life in West Bengal," he said, adding that US would try to contribute towards the economic development of Bengal.
He promised to talk to US companies about the situation in West Bengal. "We are talking to US companies about the improved situation in West Bengal and trying to organise trade delegations," Boucher later said at an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce.
"A US business delegation to India has also been scheduled sometime in November-December," he said. Boucher said the state has a very "good climate" for business and there are significant areas for cooperation which would bring Bengal better economic status.
He added that Indo-US relations have developed greatly in the last few years. "US and India will agree on every single issue," he said, adding that the two countries are working on a "very positive deep economic and commercial partnership".
"We are hopeful of witnessing some more positive outcomes in the Senate House next month," Boucher said, pointing out that among others, Indo-US Nuclear deal is also expected to be approved.
"India's economy is booming and US sees immense opportunities to grow," Boucher said. Some of the areas US companies are now interested in are irrigation, communication, port, airport, agriculture, food processing, bio-tech and also education, he pointed out.
Speaking on the recent WTO talks, Boucher said, US is looking towards a successful completion of the Doha round.
He added his country was ready to offer "more flexibility" on contentious issues and substantial "subsidies in agriculture" would also be offered.
"Proper economic steps should be taken and countries need to work together for the successful completion of Doha round," he added.