West-Bengal - Other Investment Policies
Information Technology Policy 2012
West Bengal has always been regarded as one of India's States with high intellectual capital and with immense potential to emerge as one of the most attractive investment destinations for the Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology-enabled Services (ITeS) sectors. However, West Bengal was a late starter in this sector and presently it contributes only about 2.6% of India's software turnover, providing employment to an estimated 1,00,000 persons, concentrated in the Kolkata metropolitan area. The major IT/ITeS companies of the country operate in the State, with the seven top companies generating about 70% of West Bengal's IT revenues. A well-planned and effective strategy is required to encourage additional investments from large IT companies, to revitalize and tap the talent of home-grown entrepreneurs in the small and medium sector and to enable the spread of the industry to Tier II and Tier III locations. Ultimately, there is a necessity to move up the value-chain from merely providing services, to the development of products and registering Intellectual Property Rights.
New Policy on IT-Enabled Services
West Bengal has been one of India's fastest growing states in the last decade, with a 5.2% growth in per capita net SDP. Over the last 3 years (1998-99 to 2000-01), it has also ranked as the fifth most attractive destination1 for investments. Going forward, the State has identified IT as a priority focus sector to be developed into a growth engine for the future. While the State will target both IT Services and IT-Enabled Services2, its focus in the short term will be on ITES, which is expected to grow by 75 per cent and touch Rs. 7,100 cr in 20023. The IT Services sector, in comparison, is expected to grow only 23 per cent in the short term.
Start Up Policy 2016-21
SILPA KORUN BANGLA GORUN (set up industry develop Bengal) has been the call of the State Government to the younger generation of the State to come forward and set up new enterprises with assured support from the Government. Over the past few years sustained campaign and focus on growth of entrepreneurship in the State by the Government has led to the start-up culture gaining ground. Smooth and time bound decision on statutory compliances, seamless access to incentives, network of support for access to appropriate technology, and a facilitative State apparatus haveaccelerated the growth of entrepreneurship inthe State. It is high time that the State place its weight behind this culture of entrepreneurship to synergise the energy and innovative potential of the youth of today's Bengal. A special focus is for women and rural youth to join this movement and add momentum to the process of start-up led industrial growth of the State.
Textile Policy 2013-2018
West Bengal has a long history and tradition in textiles. The sector still provides employment, both directly and indirectly to a large number of people in the State. The State has the potentialto revive its textiles industry and be a major part of global value chain in this sector. Traditionally, Handlooms, Power looms, Hosiery, Jute and Silk are the major segments of West Bengal's textiles industry.Though late, but readymade garment segment has also gained some base in the State. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million pecple are employed by textiles industry in West Bengal. Thisis just the direct employment and there would be another half a mill on people dependent on this sector indirectly.
MSME Policy 2013-18
West Bengal has the potential to become the leading state in coming future in terms or MSME productivity within India. This is not only because or huge number of MSME units but also the diversified approach from production to services. The varied segments are food processing,agro industries, leather, gems and jewellery, mineral-based, iron and steel, handicrafts, manufacturing industries and service sector. One of the largest employments can be created in this segment within next five years. The facilitative interventions will be in the areas of creating an enabling eco-system. skill development, technology intervention, and marketing.
