The Chief Minister of West Bengal, India, Mamata Banerjee reiterated that West Bengal will partner with Bhutan in all areas of cooperation such as economy, agriculture, tourism, and education. She was speaking at the Bhutan and West Bengal Business Meeting, last evening.
Mamata Banerjee said trade relations between Bhutan and West Bengal must be strengthened. She went on to say, apart from being neighbours, Bhutan and West Bengal share historical, geographical, and spiritual relations.
“We have special bond. Consider West Bengal like brothers and sisters and West Bengal will very happy to be partner with you,” said Mamata Banerjee.
Mamata Banerjee also said airlines in Bhutan could use West Bengal’s Greenfield airport as a gateway to other countries since her state has announced 100 percent sales tax exemption on aircraft fuel.
The economic affairs minister, Norbu Wangchuk, who was also at the meeting, shared the country’s business opportunities for foreign investors.
The minister also echoed the Prime Minister’s statement that Bhutan is open to business.
The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay had said Bhutan is a landlocked country but because of West Bengal, Bhutan is land-linked to opportunities in India and other countries.
“This is a win-win situation for Bhutan and West Bengal to work together,” Lyonchhen had said at a press conference right after meeting with Mamata Banerjee, yesterday.
The Prime Minister had said because access to sea ports, airports and customs station in Kolkata, India, Bhutan has been accessible to West Bengal and rest of the world.
Lyonchhen also assured the Chief Minister that the construction of a railway line connecting Hashimara, India to Pasakha in Bhutan, which was put on hold because of land acquisition issues, will be resolved soon.
