When West Bengal Commerce and Industries minister Nirupam Sen today suggested that the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries would explore the possibility of investing in a new mega petroleum facility at Nayachar — the site proposed as the alternative to Nandigram for the petrochemical hub — it was yet another instance of the Left-led state government pulling all stops to attract private investments.

So aggressive has been state Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s investor-friendly campaign, that despite Nandigram and Singur, West Bengal has emerged as the second most preferred destination for investors in 2007. A record Rs 40,000 crore of fresh investments in resurgent sectors like steel and power in 2007 have allowed the state to capture well over 11 per cent of the total Rs 3.5 lakh crore of investments announced nationwide — making it second only to Gujarat.

“The problems at Nandigram were political in nature and do not reflect the aggressiveness of our government in promoting enterprise. We have been committed to facilitating investors at all points and the investments in 2007 are proof of it,” said Sen, speaking to The Indian Express from Mumbai. “In fact, we have met the Reliance group today and requested Mukesh Ambani to consider investing in the chemical hub at Nayachar. They have responded positively,” he added.

While Reliance may fund its way into West Bengal’s manufacturing sector in 2008, mega projects announced in areas like steel and power have been the backbone of the state’s investments in 2007. The manufacturing sector, which primarily comprises food, iron and steel and chemicals together contributed Rs 34,000 crore sum to the state’s investment pie, leaving Gujarat, at Rs 29,000 crore behind.

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