Mamata Banerjee: Bengal Key Player in India-Spain Trade Relations
During a Business Summit in Barcelona, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasized the pivotal role played by Bengal in strengthening trade and economic ties between India and Spain. Banerjee highlighted the historical and cultural similarities between Bengal and Spain, underlining their shared passion for football and admiration for renowned footballers like Messi, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho.
She expressed Bengal’s commitment to humanitarian values, unity in diversity, and the welfare of the less fortunate. Banerjee noted a recent memorandum of understanding with La Liga authorities, who will collaborate to guide and advise on sports initiatives in West Bengal.
Banerjee discussed the Kanyashree Scheme, which empowers girls from school to university and provides student credit cards for higher education assistance. She highlighted Bengal’s prominent role in manufacturing and exports, positioning it as a crucial player in India-Spain trade relations.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Banerjee revealed that West Bengal achieved an impressive growth rate of 8.41% in 2022-23. She projected West Bengal’s GDP to exceed 200 billion euros in the upcoming financial year of 2023-24.
Banerjee also emphasized the importance of Bengal’s Durga Puja, which has earned a place on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage and generates billions in revenue during the festival. She welcomed ongoing manufacturing regulations and expressed gratitude for Spain’s participation in Bengal’s Book Fair and Film Festival.
In her address, Banerjee positioned Bengal as a global game-changer with a growing economy and a strategic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia, serving as the gateway to India’s northeastern region. She highlighted initiatives such as free insurance for farmers to support crop cultivation.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Indian Express
