The two-day annual investment summit of the Bengal government, Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) began today at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the more than 200 delegates from across the country and several foreign countries.

Before the event, Banerjee told mediapersons, “Out of the total 40 countries who are participating in the event, about 20 are the partner countries. Around 22 ambassadors from different nations have already arrived. The rest would land in the city around midnight. It is a unique event.”

At the event soon after, she reaffirmed her government’s commitment to industrial growth and a business-friendly environment, and gave examples in her speech of the various policies which enable a pro-industry approach.

She also announced a slew of initiatives in this respect, including the creation of State-Level Industrial Synergy Committee as a one-stop investment proposal clearance mechanism. This is a major initiative, meant to bolster the state’s industry-friendly image.

The committee will have representation from the government departments that are involved in proposal approval. It will meet on a fortnightly basis, announced the chief minister.

The chief minister also said that the previous seven editions of BGBS had generated investment proposals worth Rs 90.51 trillion. Projects worth Rs 12 trillion have taken off and the rest are in various stages of being set up.

A key development today was the announcement by Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani doubling investment in the state. It was Rs 50,000 crore, he said, and now we will invest another Rs 50,000 crore, spanning multiple sectors, “including digital services, green energy and retail”.

Following are the biggest investment proposals announced by companies on day one:

Reliance Industries: An investment of Rs 50,000 crore has been made; another Rs 50,000 crore will be invested by 2030 in retail, telecom, data centers, green energy and other sectors.

ITC: In the last three to four years, an investment of approximately Rs 7,500 crore has been made. A ‘Global Center for AI’ is being set up in New Town. Six more hotels will be established in the coming years.

RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group: Over the last few years, Rs 20,000 crore has been invested. An additional Rs 10,000 crore will be invested in the energy, education and healthcare sectors.

Ambuja Neotia Group: A total investment proposal of Rs 15,000 crore in the healthcare, hospitality, tourism and real estate sectors (residential and commercial rel estate, a golf-themed township) has been made.

JSW Group (Sajjan Jindal): Initially, a 1,600 MW power generation plant will be built, followed by another 1,600 MW plant, with Rs 16,000 crore to be invested in each phase (therefore, totalling Rs 32,000 crore). Investments will also also be made in Durgapur Airport and an industrial park in Salboni in Paschim Midnapore district.

Emami Group: Harsh Agarwal of the Emami Group has committed to significant investments in the coming years.