As India emerges from its nationwide lockdown, it finds itself in uncharted territory, with the pandemic fundamentally altering the way people work, communicate, and lead their daily lives. In this unprecedented time, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the first time in its history of 187 years, has organized its 166th Annual General Meeting in PHYGITAL Platform. Viewers and Stakeholders attended the AGM from both physical and Digital Medium. Janab Firhad Hakim, Hon'ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal and Chairman, Board of Administrators, Kolkata Municipal Corporation graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Keynote Address.

Janab Firhad Hakim, while addressing the audience highlighted the various measures taken by the State Government in the wake of the pandemic to support trade and business in the state. He emphasized that inclusive growth and employment generation in both the rural and urban sector have been the foremost priority and the Government has given special focus on the development of MSME sector in the State through incentive schemes like ‘Bangashree’ and 'Karmasathi Prakalpa’. Government has set up 100 industrial parks in the State to boost employment generation, and also launched the ‘Matir Katha' app for farmers. He said that 2.5-3 million sq.ft of warehousing space coming up in West Bengal in 3 years, and that Rs 5,000 crore has been sanctioned to Self-Help Groups (SHG) across the State under ‘Jago’ scheme. He also lauded the performance of the IT sector in West Bengal and recalled how enthused by the response from the IT sector, the West Bengal Government decided to add at least 200 acres to its Silicon Valley Hub. The Hon’ble Minister applauded the initiative of the Bengal Chamber and observed that in future also the State Govt and Bengal Chamber will work in tandem for the development of the State.

Mr. Deb A Mukherjee became the new President of this 187 year old institution.

The 166th Bengal Chamber AGM Started with a Panel Discussion on Indian Economy – Leveraging the ‘Next Normal’. The panelists were Mr. Dinesh Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India, Mr. Abheek Barua, Chief Economist, and Executive Vice President, HDFC Bank, Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Managing Director and CEO, Bandhan Bank Limited and Past President, The Bengal Chamber and Mr. Sumit Bose, Former Revenue and Finance Secretary, Government of India and Chairperson, Economic Affairs, Committee, The Bengal Chamber. Mr. Dinesh Khara made his first public appearance in Kolkata to deliver his views on the way forward for the Indian Economy. Hesaidin the current fiscal, players in the Indian economy are imposing mechanisms to come out of a very difficult situation. All Urban sectors were severely affected after the outbreak of COVID 19. As the Government started unlock phase from the 2nd quarter, Indian economy commenced its economic operations. Service sectors had performed well, and so did Cement, e commerce and FMCG Sectors. For example, traffic between Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata has gone down by more than 50%. However, the agri sector has received orders across the globe. The health Insurance sector looks positive. PSUs are expected to create lot of demand and leverage from the corporate. He expected Indian to revive by April 2021.

Mr. Abheek Barua Chief Economist, and Executive Vice President, HDFC Bank, spoke about supply side measures to revive the economy. Situation demanded to take measures against some of the conventional wisdom, and the economy seems to have turned the corner. While the pandemic has opened up a new challenge, indicators are looking well now. The pre pandemic economic levels are expected to be reached in another few months to one year time. However, this will not be a seamless movement to new paradigm.

The Bengal Chamber - Sardar Jodh Singh Award for Igniting Minds

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry commenced this new year 2020-21 by instituting the inaugural edition of the award, which shall henceforth be conferred upon a personality who has inspired teeming masses by igniting the flame within us all. The awardee played a role as a true visionary and leader, cutting across any Business, Cultural, Philanthropic or Social spheres, and stand for values and ethics that have helped in “Igniting Minds” of Indians true to the traditions of The Chamber. This award, was instituted in the memory of Late Sardar Jodh Singh, an unparalleled personality and an entrepreneur, when entrepreneurship was not the norm. A visionary and far-sighted personality, Sardar Jodh Singh always aspired to bring about a positive transformation in the society by educating minds. To stay true to this motto, he worked tirelessly to build a hub of quality education where students will be encouraged to be innovative and also, quality education will be imparted to them. Apart from education, Sardar Jodh Singh also developed industries in various sectors like diary, cargo, telecom, infrastructure, and others. Sardar Jodh Singh’s hard work and progressive activities have led to the global eminence of JIS Group, which has generated employment to about 22000 people in the recent years. In the presence of Mr. Taranjit Singh, son of Late SardarJodh Singh, Managing Director of the JIS Group and Chief Patron of The Chamber the inaugural Bengal Chamber Sardar Jodh Singh Award for Igniting Minds was conferred to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Past President, The Bengal Chamber and Managing Director and CEO, Bandhan Bank Limited.

Felicitation to the Heroes of COVID-19

This year, the world has been one in its suffering. COVID-19 has taken our loved ones away from us, displaced millions globally and created a chasm so deep that we have all had to redefined our lives and livelihood. However, amongst us lie people who have gone the extra mile and beyond to help people out. State healthcare professionals, KMC and the journalists were awarded for their exemplary services that they all provided during the times of pandemic and their selfless services to their professions.

The Chamber felicitated Janab Firhad Hakim, on behalf of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Shri Narayan Swaroop Nigam, IAS, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal and Mr. Snehasis Sur, on behalf of the Kolkata Media for their selfless devotion to fight this epic pandemic.