With the pullout of the Tata Motors, the state has lost the investment of at least 12 German automobile companies and 59 automotive companies. This is what the records of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce reveal, a fact also confirmed by Subrata Gupta, Managing Director, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). “Apart from Nano, the state has lost over Rs 500 crore of automobile and automotive investment. These companies could have made the state a large automobile hub,” said Gupta.The recurring controversies over the issuance of the trade licence to the German major Metro Cash & Carry have not helped either.A German delegation of 65 investors which came to India recently, refused to visit Kolkata, citing political instability as a reason. They went to Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore. So while Bengal has only 25 German companies, the city of Pune ended up with 250. German auto component giant Bosch Wagon that designed and will manufacture 60 per cent of the auto components for Tata Motor’s cheapest car Nano, has cancelled its plan to set up plant in the state. “We had planned a plant in Singur for manufacturing braking systems, starters and generators at the insistence of our customers Tata Motors. Since the Tatas have moved to Sanand (Gujrat), we will also set up a plant there,” said Rana Mathew, spokesperson, Bosch Ltd (Bangalore).The Indian part of Bosch Wagon will be supplying the fuel injection system, starter motor, alternator, glow-park, generators and braking system to Tata Motor’s Nano project at Sanand. Bosch will also supply its latest gasoline engine parts and security systems to Nano from its Naganathapura plant in Karnataka. “Many prospective foreign delegations are understandably reluctant to travel when they read reports on industries being pulled out from West Bengal,” said BG Mukherjee, regional director, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. According to him, corporates are not bullish any more about fresh investments here unless they have a compelling reason.“The political instability is being discussed by global CEOs and international venture capital and private equity funds. It’s suffering from a brand dilution syndrome due to political ill-will and instability. Many potential investors have been moving away to peaceful pastures,” added Mukherjee. As of now, there are around eight German projects in the pipeline. Among the upcoming projects is a German bakery. According to an official of the company, it is looking at two spots in Rajarhat and Kasba industrial estate. Besides, there are seven companies, including a cable manufacturing company that intends to set up its plant on the eastern fringes of the city, four engineering companies, one brewery and a chemical factory.
