Investors’ perception about Bengal not the best: French envoy

Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS) French Ambassador to India Francois Richier Wednesday said investors’ perception about West Bengal was “not the best one”, while referring to the pullout of a French joint venture from Haldia two years ago.

Richier who held meets with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim and Power Minister Manish Gupta, however, said France was looking for ventures in the state in renewable energy, tourism and agro-business.

“I had a talk with the finance minister about the HBT (Haldia Bulk Terminal) issue. Because of this, the perception of the investors about Bengal is not the best one. There are also issues like law and order and infrastructure,” Richier told media persons here.

The envoy was referring to the withdrawal of port equipment operator HBT – a joint venture between Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) of France and ABG of Mumbai – from the Haldia port in 2012 due to labour unrest.

“It has been more than two years but HBT’s equipment are still lying there and are rusting. This doesn’t help the perception. There are more than 350 French companies in India having invested $20 billion. We want that number to grow,” the diplomat said.

Richier insisted his country was exploring ways to enter business ventures in Bengal.

“Almost all the power in Bengal comes from thermal energy which leaves a vast carbon footprint. The need, therefore, is for developing alternate sources of energy. We had talks with the power minister on exploring ways to develop ventures in renewable energy,” Richier said.