On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, extended an invitation to British companies to invest in the state in fields including artificial intelligence, engineering, and robotics.

Calcutta, the former name of Kolkata, was the capital of British India until 1911, and the city still reflects the magnificent architecture of the time in its heritage buildings and structures, she said, recalling the United Kingdom’s centuries-old relationship with India and especially Bengal.

Banerjee said that British businesses can assist the state in the fields of clean energy, smart infrastructure, and green technology during an interactive session on “Opportunities in West Bengal” in London. The video of the discussion was posted on the chief minister’s Facebook page.

“We welcome further partnership in areas such as automation, engineering and green manufacturing, artificial intelligence, etc.,” she said.

With the words, “Let us create a win-win outcome together,” the chief minister encouraged British companies to open offices in West Bengal.

“We share a deep-rooted historical, cultural and economic background that dates back centuries,” she said.

According to Banerjee, a number of British businesses have recently made investments in West Bengal.

“We offer a business-friendly government… some of our key policies include an industrial and economic corridor, logistics, export promotion, new energy manufacturing, data centers, cable landing, etc.,” she said.

Banerjee cited the high percentage of female entrepreneurs in West Bengal and the fact that women make up 39% of her party’s elected MPs in Parliament as evidence of the state’s efforts to empower women.

She insisted that inclusive growth can result from sustainable development, saying, “That is why Bengal is going ahead.”

Bringing up the fact that British Airways had operated a direct trip between Kolkata and London, Banerjee asked UK carriers to do the same.

The chief minister insisted that it would take eight hours for a direct trip from Kolkata to London, despite the fact that it now takes eighteen hours.

Everyone is eager for direct communication, she noted, including professionals and businesspeople as well as the student body.

She told the airlines that if they started offering direct flights between Kolkata and London, “We will give you a fabulous reception.”

According to the chief minister, the state’s finances are doing well.

“West Bengal’s GSDP grew by 6.80 per cent in the 2024-25 fiscal, whereas India’s GDP grew by 6.37 per cent,” she said.

The chief minister said, “Now, it has come down to only 8.60 per cent.” In 2011, when the TMC took office, 57.60 percent of West Bengal’s population lived below the poverty line.

She claimed that the state had received investment offers totaling more than Rs 19 lakh crore at the Bengal Global Business conferences that her administration has hosted over the years.

“Out of that, Rs 13 lakh crore investment proposals have already been implemented and the rest is in the process,” she said.

Banerjee said that over Rs 4 lakh crore in investment offers were received for this year’s BGBS.

She insisted that West Bengal is a place where people from various states coexist peacefully, saying, “Unity in diversity is our USP.”