The European countries are set to go for a host of partnerships with Bengal.
To begin with, the first MOU was signed by Italy today. Italy is a partner country in this event. The other partner countries include Japan, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Germany, South Korea, China and UK.
The MOU was signed between Italian Leather Research Institute, CLC and Tanner’s Association, Kolkata.
The Italian delegation of 30 is led by Art Valley an organisation that has attended BGBS last year as well. The Italian side was represented by Mr Paolo Gurisatti, president of SSIP district and Mr. Golin Mauro, CEO Spraytech.
This has the support of the West Bengal government and is involved in exchange and support in providing technical competence in the Bengal tanning companies , said professor Alberto Cavicchiolo of Art Valley.
Other agreements are also expected in course of the visit. Delegates of another partner country, France also held a host of B2B meetings to explore opportunity in harnessing greater economic cooperation.
French minister counsellor and head regional economic department India, Jean Marc Fenet said 12 companies delegation from varied sectors including energy, infrastructure , tourism, water management among others were present today. Companies that participated today include Accor, Bureau Veritas, Capgemini, Dassault and others. He said last minute discussion and MoU are expected tomorrow.
He said that some companies including Matiere, Suez and Poma are in the process of tying up with Bengal. French companies are particularly interested to invest in the hospitality sector and are contemplating to come up with a few more hotels in the city. Dassult System said they are trying work with SME’s of west Bengal to empower them with technology to upgrade their capability.
Scheneider Electrical official said they are trying work in the rural electrification and recently Railway braking system business had been transferred from Baroda to Kolkata.
BGBS received participation from 32 countries.