Perception of West Bengal as an investment destination not good: French ambassador

Francois Richier said this happened after a French company was forced to pull out from Haldia port

French Ambassador to India Francois Richier said that the perception of West Bengal as an investment destination has been dented by the pull out of a French company from Haldia port due to law and order situation created by a lobby close to the ruling Trinamool Congress.

"To convince industrialists to invest in a particular place, it is necessary that the environment should be conducive and ideal for business," said the ambassador who is on a three-day visit to the state. The French company, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) which formed a joint venture, Haldia Bulk Terminal ( HBT) with Mumbai-based ABG pulled out of the venture due to problems created by a syndicate which is perceived close to the ruling party in 2012.. The company was involved in mechanised cargo handling of the port.

"The issue is still lingering as the company has still not been allowed to withdraw their property from the port even two years after the incident," he said. Richier said that he raised the issue with commerce and industry minister Amit Mitra but refused to share details of the meeting.

He added that the French companies had certain expectations from the state before committing investment. " A proper law and order situation, aided by access to power and infrastructure is what they are looking for," the ambassador said.

The ambassador also met governor Keshri Nath Tripathi where discussions about the involvement of French companies in urban development of the state took place.