CM Mamata hardsells development work, eyes UK partnership

Kolkata: UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday met chief minister Mamata Banerjee at state secretariat Nabanna.

Mr Johnson, who was in the city to participate in Presidency University’s bicentenary celebrations, arrived at the state secretariat at a little before 4.30 pm. The meeting with the CM lasted for 45 minutes. By a coincidence, the high-profile British minister was in the city on the eve of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS). However, he will not be able to attend it.

Talking  to reporters after the meeting, Ms Banerjee said that she apprised Mr Johnson about the all-round development that has taken place in West Bengal in the last few years.

“Mr Johnson will not be able to attend the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) that will be held on January 20 and 21 at the Milan Mela grounds. So he met me today here,” the chief minister said.

The UK foreign secretary attended the dinner hosted by the government at Eco Park on Thursday night. Present at the grand dinner were delegates who have arrived in the city to attend the two-day summit.

According to Nabanna sources, the  chief minister  informed him of the various sessions that will be held during the summit and her plans to bring in investments for the state. The two leaders focussed on potential areas where the Bengal government can partner with the UK.

“We had discussions on a host of issues ranging from education to industry. It  was a very important meeting,” Ms Banerjee said.

Sources said Mr Johnson evinced keen interest in investment in infrastructure, heritage and urban development.  In a way Mr Johnson’s visit can be seen as a follow-up to Ms Banerjee’s  London visit in 2015 when she had met British ministers as well as some leading industrialists.

“UK has shown special interest in partnering with the state government in the restoration and maintenance of the numerous heritage buildings in the city. Announcements in this regard are likely to be made during the two-day summit,” a senior Nabanna official said.

Earlier he briefly visited the Arun Lal Cricket Academy. Mr Johnson was impressed by the zeal for the game of cricket among young boys at the academy. To the delight of the kids, the British foreign secretary also tried his hand at batting, hitting the ball straight down the ground.