Britain offers assistance to Bengal governmnt

Updated on: Friday, October 28, 2011

The British government today said it is willing to assist West Bengal in its endeavour to transform Kolkata into a city like London but put a rider that the government has to create a proper environment for this.

British High Commissioner to India Richard Stagg said on the sidelines of a CII-organised interactive session that Kolkata can definitely be changed although the government is suffering from funds crunch.

He was responding to reporters' question on whether the ambition of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make Kolkata another London is practical. Stagg said "there is a lot of money available globally but you have to make the enviornment conducive".

Stagg met the state's Finance Minister Amit Mitra and offered British expertise in running a government, environment, healthcare and a few other areas. "We also want the state government to come out with their suggestions on how to work togther," he said.

He said that for improving the environment, governments can bid for the USD 4.5 billion global grant fund created by the Britsh government. Stagg said he was disappointed by Indian government not further opening up the retail and financial sector.

Britain offers assistance to Bengal governmnt

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