Bharti-Wal-Mart to enter West Bengal in cash

Kolkata, Dec 2 (UNI) Amidst much furore created by Left Front over Wal-Mart's backdoor entry into India, Bharti-Wal-Mart has decided to enter the red regime of West Bengal with its cash and carry business.

Speaking in the sidelines of a seminar organised by West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and Consular Corps of Kolkata, Bharti group Chairman Sunil Mittal here today said, ''Entry in the Bengal market is part of the Bharti-Wal-Mart national rollout. The operations will be started in August next year with focus on back-end services like developing the cold chain management, techology, enhancing supply chain and logistics.'' When asked about the Left Front's allegation about Wal-Mart's backdoor entry in India, Mr Mittal said,'' We are adhering all the rules and regulations of the Centre. There is no question of back door entry.'' Mr Mittal said the company has started planning details of its long-term roll out and investments.

''We are yet to decide on the names of the cities where Bharti-Wal-Mart will be launched first. West Bengal will be in the priority list,'' he said.

''Big investments are in the pipeline," Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

Bharti would be the Wal-Mart franchisee and manage the front-end, that is the retail business, while the US retailing giant and Bharti would together manage the back-end like technology, logistics etc.

When asked about the Bharti's plans to roll out in West Bengal and the controversity regarding Wal-Mart's backdoor entry, Chief Minister Buddhdeb Bhattacharjee said,''Let me see into the proposal first.'' Incidentally, Metro Cash and Carry is also setting up retail in the same Bharti-Wal-Mart model.'' India is yet to fully open up the retail sector but allows 51 per cent foreign investment in single-brand retail with prior government permission. Foreign Direct Investment is also allowed in wholesale business.

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