Kolkata, Jun 19: It might just be happening in West Bengal, which has not happened for atleast the last 34 years. Yes, what was unlikely to happen during the communist's rule is now set to materialise as the United States is showing a keenness to invest in West Bengal.

Giving West Bengal's newly elected chief minister Mamata Banerjee's mission to industrialise the state a fillip, US assistant secretary Robert Blake was quoted by CNN-IBN as saying, "For the investors it is important that there is a good law and order situation in the state. Mamata Banerjee has assured me that the law and order aspect as well as the general investor climate is being improved upon."

He said that after paying a visit to the Writer's Building to meet Mamata Banerjee. The visit and the subsequent event is being closely monitored by the Left parties, who had once called Mamata, a US agent after a WikiLeaks cable showed US wanted to cultivate her.

If the US does really invest, then it would mark a significant change for the state, which under the Left rule had developed a suspicion for almost everything American.

The US assistant secretary's visit to the West Bengal chief minister's office comes at a significant time as Mamata Banerjee, prepares herself to meet the top names of Indian Industry who are in Kolkata for a business summit. When it comes to investing in the state, most of them are still treading the cautious path following the recent decision to return the Singur land to the farmers.

Bengal Chamber of Commerce President Sandipan Chakrabarty was quoted by CNN-IBN as saying, "Mamata Banerjee needs to convey the industry people that she is willing to meet them half way and that her promise of co-existence of industry and agriculture will be delivered. Right now it doesn't appear that way."

OneIndia News