Come to Bengal & see Left changing: Buddha

This was his response to an observation by New Zealand’s High Commissioner Graeme Waters that there was continued scepticism among his colleagues about Bengal under Marxist rule for 27 years.

Earlier, while appreciating the level of discourse at the summit, Waters urged Bhattacharjee to let countries and investors do a reality check on the changes in Bengal. That, he felt, would be the best confidence-building measure on Bengal.

‘‘We would like to see your IT parks, industrial hubs and check out how these are functioning… This will give confidence to foreign investors,’’ added Waters during an interaction at the session devoted to Bengal moving up the investment chart.

Another foreign delegate asked the CM to spell out the ‘‘risk factors’’ in investing in Bengal and the ‘‘downsides’’ since not everything could be offered to everyone.

Bhattacharjee, who acknowledged that his state lacked infrastructure, said plans had already been drawn to bridge the gap. Power could have been another shortfall area but the state, he said, had launched several new projects.

One has come up with Japanese aid in Bakreswar and another mega power project is being implemented in Sagardighi.

The CM assured a French delegate that the state would be too happy to invite foreign companies to invest in areas like roads, port connectivity, bridges and townships.

He said a major investment commitment had come from an Indonesian firm on setting up a new township.

Similarly, a private port was taking shape and would require connectivity to the mainland.

Haldia needed better access to Kolkata and there were plans for a bridge to connect the two.