CM Mamata invites UK investors, says Bengal now Southeast Asia’s top business destination

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged British Airways to resume direct flights between London and Kolkata, citing high passenger demand and the state’s willingness to offer fuel tax concessions. Speaking at an interactive session titled “Opportunities in West Bengal” in London on Tuesday, she said, “My humble request to my friends from the UK airlines. Can you give us one direct flight? British Airways used to operate [London-Kolkata flights]. But before we came to power [in 2011], the service was withdrawn. I do not know what the cause was. But now every flight is almost fully booked.”

British Airways discontinued the route in March 2009 after nearly 80 years of service, while Air India also stopped its direct Kolkata-London flights in 2008 due to low occupancy. Banerjee emphasized Bengal’s transformation over the past 14 years, positioning it as a key destination for global investors. She highlighted investment opportunities in sectors such as green technologies, smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence, automation, engineering, and clean energy. “We welcome further partnership in areas such as automation, engineering, and green manufacturing, artificial intelligence, etc.,” she said.

She also mentioned that West Bengal has received investment proposals exceeding ₹23 lakh crore through the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS). The UK has been a frequent partner in Bengal’s economic initiatives. Banerjee noted that West Bengal has agreed to studies proposed by the British High Commission aimed at strengthening the state’s tax revenue systems and implementing green budgeting under the India-UK cooperation framework.

She reiterated that Bengal remains open to deeper collaboration with British industries, particularly in technology-driven and sustainable development sectors. In her pitch for increased air connectivity, Banerjee assured incentives for airlines considering the revival of the London-Kolkata route. “We are also giving some fuel concessions. Whoever approaches us first, we will give them an advantage in fuel tax,” she said.

The move aims to improve accessibility for business and tourism, given that current flights between the two cities are operating at near-full capacity. Banerjee is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the University of Oxford on Thursday before returning to India on Friday. The London visit is part of her broader efforts to attract global investments and strengthen West Bengal’s economic ties with international markets.