Siliguri, April 25: The success of the Russia mission, in which the seeds of resuming export of north Bengal tea to that country were sown, was the highlight of the third annual general meeting of the CII’s North Bengal Zonal Council today.
A branch of the Confederation of Indian Industry was established here three years ago as it was found that an influential trade body was needed for the region’s industrial growth.
The outgoing chairman, Kamal K. Mittal, announced a new team today to run the council for the coming year. G.S. Hora will succeed Mittal, while Ramgopal Jajodia will be the vice-chairman.
Outlining the tasks before him, Hora said other than interactive sessions with various government departments to sort out the problems faced by the industries, matters relating to power, pollution control, land reforms and financial institutions would also be taken up.
“We are planning a North Bengal Conclave in June and hope that chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will inaugurate it. The conclave will discuss business opportunities in the region,” said Hora.
Aspects relating to tea tourism, agro industries, food processing, information technology, health and education would be taken up at the conclave, said Hora. “The speakers will include individuals from government departments and large corporate houses,” he added.
The new chairman said since many of the 85 members in the council are from Siliguri, a drive would be lunched to enroll more businessmen from other north Bengal districts. He added that the CII would set up its own building in the coming year.
A mission to China in September is also being planned, mainly to promote Indian tea and tourism there. “The visit is expected to be reciprocated by a Chinese delegation later,” said Hora.
“The visit will be followed by a seminar in August on opportunities in IT and BPO industries and a skills development programme in October for entrepreneurs. The stress will be on export-import management.”
Earlier, Mittal had presented an overview of the previous year’s activities.
