Kolkata/IBNS, July 15 -- The despatch of the first jewellery export consignment to the United Kingdom from Kolkata under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is an "encouraging moment" for West Bengal's industry and trade, state Industry and Commerce Minister Tapas Roy said on Wednesday.

Kolkata, one of India's leading centres for jewellery manufacturing and craftsmanship, marked a historic milestone with the flagging off of the first jewellery export consignment to the UK under the landmark agreement at the Kolkata Air Cargo Complex.

Roy heads the Industry and Commerce portfolio in the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal.

West Bengal Industry and Commerce Minister Tapas Roy sp...