West Bengal is seen as having substantial untapped opportunities for industrial investments, according to Vir S Advani, Chairman of CII Western Region and CMD of Blue Star Limited. He emphasized the need for a shift in focus towards the state’s industrial growth, noting the relatively low investment from the manufacturing sector compared to other regions.
Advani outlined the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) agenda for the Western Region, which includes enhancing competitiveness, particularly among small and medium enterprises that make up a significant portion of its membership. He stressed the importance of quality, digitalization, and sustainability in driving competitiveness in today’s business landscape.
The CII plans to advocate for policies that improve the ease of doing business and reduce operational costs in key western states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa. Advani also highlighted the challenges posed by rising raw material prices, particularly in the air conditioning industry, due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Companies are exploring various strategies to mitigate cost pressures while acknowledging the likelihood of some increases being passed on to consumers.
