The Bengal Business Council hosted its annual convention and vision conclave on Sunday, featuring prominent entrepreneurs and industrialists in attendance. Notable figures such as economist Abhirup Sarkar and former cricketer Sourav Ganguly were also present.<\/p>\n
The convention\u2019s six-point agenda aimed to encourage more Bengalis to pursue business as a career. The key points of this agenda include: Promoting existing start-ups and small businesses owned by Bengalis to help them scale up; Encouraging internal business collaborations among council members; Fostering business development in a cooperative and collaborative manner for council members; Representing members in their interactions with the government regarding policy issues that affect them; Establishing an organization dedicated to achieving these goals and ensuring continuity.<\/p>\n
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During the event, economist Abhirup Sarkar focused on the industrial structure of businesses in Bengal and the national market policy.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBengal was once an industrial leader, even ahead of Maharashtra and Gujarat. After independence, we had an initial advantage with established industries. However, some factors led to significant problems. The industries present in Bengal were mainly British companies focused on exports, particularly in tea, jute, and coal, rather than the domestic market. In contrast, Maharashtra was producing primarily for domestic consumption,\u201d Sarkar explained.<\/p>\n
According to Sarkar, Bengal has consistently lagged in terms of productivity. He noted that at one time, the overall environment was not conducive to growth, and the political climate was also unwelcoming. \u201cThe bombings during the Naxalite movement created challenges that prompted many multinational companies to relocate their headquarters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sarkar emphasized the importance of community-based businesses: \u201cWorldwide, we see that once a community-based business is established, it paves the way for others to enter the market. If there is a successful community business, it can serve as an example for startups.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussing the impact of the Left government and its decline, Sarkar remarked, \u201cIn the past, both Bengal and Kerala had Left governments. While West Bengal pursued large investments, often facing land shortages, Kerala focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, resulting in considerable advancement. Kerala\u2019s per capita income has more than doubled. I believe we need to concentrate on small and medium enterprises in Bengal. Even now, productivity remains low, and that must change. It would be beneficial to build a robust Bengali business community and foster cooperation. I am confident that with the right focus, Bengal can move forward, as there is no lack of potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
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