West Bengal Investment
Mumbai
Vir S Advani, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Western Region and CMD of Blue Star Limited, has highlighted West Bengal’s untapped potential for industrial investment, stating that the state is ready for a new phase of economic transformation. Speaking about the investment landscape, Advani noted that West Bengal offers significant opportunities for industrial growth, despite historically limited participation from the manufacturing sector. He pointed out that while the state has seen some activity in real estate, industrial investments have remained comparatively low, leaving room for expansion and development.
Advani stressed that this gap presents a timely opportunity for industries to explore West Bengal as a viable destination for manufacturing and business growth. He suggested that with the right policy support and industry participation, the state could emerge as a key contributor to India’s industrial ecosystem.
Discussing the broader agenda of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Western Region, Advani said the focus will be on enhancing competitiveness across sectors, particularly among small and medium enterprises, which account for nearly 80 percent of its 2,500 members. He emphasized that competitiveness today extends beyond cost efficiency and includes improving product quality, accelerating digital transformation, and adopting sustainable business practices.
According to Advani, strengthening capabilities across the supply chain will be essential for Indian industries to compete globally. He added that the CII plans to intensify policy advocacy efforts across key western states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa, with a focus on improving ease of doing business and reducing operational costs.
Advani also drew attention to rising input costs driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, noting that the air conditioning industry has witnessed a sharp increase of 8–10 percent in raw material prices within a short period. He described this surge as one of the steepest in over a decade, comparable to the period following the global financial crisis.
While companies are exploring measures such as engineering redesign and renegotiation to mitigate the impact, Advani acknowledged that a portion of the increased costs may ultimately be passed on to consumers, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the industry.