West Bengal seeks industrial growth through tech and semiconductor design

West Bengal is seeking to attract new industrial investment and emerge as a technology hub, though significant regulatory hurdles remain. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada highlighted the state's potential to become an investment center for artificial intelligence, data centers, and semiconductor design, comparable to hubs like Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Prasada noted that Bengal's specific competitive advantage may lie in the design of electronic components and microchips. However, the state faces challenges regarding land use. With nearly two-thirds of West Bengal's land classified as cultivable, industrial expansion requires navigating complex processes to convert agricultural land for non-agricultural use. These processes involve managing land ownership limits, building permissions, and legal complexities such as rights of pre-emption.