US trade mission talks retail with Bengal Govt

Kolkata, Jan 18 (UNI) A US trade mission today talked to the West Bengal Government over the possibility of setting up retail chains and discussed other areas of business opportunities in the state.

Mr Jeffery R.Tyatt,Deputy chief of mission of a 25-member US trade delegation that arrived in the city yesterday, met Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen at the state Secretariat to discuss the issues.

" We have talked about business opportinities, including the retail issue. We want to increase the volume of trade with West Bengal, " Mr Tyatt told reporters.

To a question, Mr Tyatt said if retail business was allowed entry in West Bengal, the farmers of the state would be "benefited a lot".

The Left Government had so far maintained a stand against the entry of retail chains in West Bengal stating that it would put at stake the livelihood of local traders and those involved in transporting vegetables to the market.

It was on this ground that the Government denied the US retail major Wall Mart to move into the state despite a plea of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Tyatt said the number of US companies in West Bengal had increased to 23 from nine over the past few years and the figure was expected to rise to 30 in near future.

UNI