"Look East" policy to boost in Bengal: Pranab

Kolkata, Dec 2: ''Look East'' policy of the Union government will boost industrial growth in West Bengal, External Affars Minister Pranab Mukherjee opined today.

Speaking at a seminar on ''Why not Bengal'', organised by West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and Consular Corps, Mr Mukherjee said the deeper integration of East Asian countries would automatically lead to economic growth in Bengal.

''West Bengal is in a strategic location and has potential to draw investments. To promote economic cooperation among the sub-regional group including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia and other countries, we are taking all necessary intiatives,'' he added.

The second BIMSTEC conference would be organised in India in February next year, he said adding, ''we will focus on trade, investment, energy, tourism and transport in this conference.'' ''With the opening of Nathu La, trade with China would also flourish. We have pegged the bilateral trade between India and China at 40 billion dollar till 2010,'' Mr Mukherjee said.

US Consul general Henry Jardine said the state with its diverse character has tremendous growth potential with huge raw talent, material supply and surplus electricity.

''The seminbar will focus on trade and investment opportunities in Bengal,'' he added.

UNI