Kolkata, July 9 -- Calling for sweeping reforms to improve the ease of doing business, Patton Group's managing director Sanjay Budhia urged the West Bengal government to simplify regulations, strengthen transport connectivity and invest in technology infrastructure to attract fresh investments and accelerate industrial growth.

In an issued statement, Budhia said entrepreneurs continue to face challenges such as the Urban Land Ceiling Act, retrospective withdrawal of incentives and the large number of approvals and licences required to set up new factories. He said improved expressways, highways and airports, along with more international flights, were essential to reduce travel time and improve connectivity. He also advocated greater use of inland waterways, describing them as the cheapest mode of transport, and called for the establishment of data centres, artificial intelligence laboratories, VHF laboratories and simulation centres to support the state's future growth.

Observing that "morning shows the day", Budhia said the government's actions during its first two months demonstrated that it "means business". He pointed to its efforts to put in place a major investment promotion framework, formulate a policy to attract Global Capability Centres (GCCs), provide incentives for AI data centres and renew the focus on attracting large corporate investments. According to him, these initiatives would create more private-sector jobs, drive growth in information technology, electronics, logistics and manufacturing, increase tax revenues and improve infrastructure around industrial corridors.

Expressing confidence in the state's economic prospects, Budhia said policy alignment between the Centre and the state would help fast-track development. He added that the renewed optimism and confidence could encourage many Bengalis working outside the state to return home by choice rather than compulsion, helping the state regain its lost

economic momentum.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.