CM calls for more cooperation among SAARC countries

Kolkata, Jan 17 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said SAARC countries should come forward to enhance their mutual cooperation to promote trade in the third world.

Inaugurating the 21st Industrial India Trade Fair, the Chief Minister said increase of regional cooperation among the SAARC countries was needed for the progress of the developing countries as the developed nations were becoming more prosperous because of globalisation.

'' Globalisation is a must. Nobody can deny it. But we must see to it that it ensures economic prosperity for the third world as well as the developed nations,'' Mr Bhattacharjee said.

He said there was tremendous scope for accelerating growth through promotion of regional cooperation among the SAARC countries in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure development and technology.

Mr Bhattacharjee observed that the free trade zone was necessary for the economic development of the ASEAN nations.

He also urged the Centre to invest more in infrastructure to increase the GDP rate and for the overall development of the country.

Referring to industrialisation of West Bengal, Mr Bhattacharjee said ''situation is changing for the better.'' '' We are receiving more investments from companies from home and abroad in a number of sectors like iron, steel, food processing and petrochemicals,'' he stated.

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