Co to focus on digital solutions, clean energy, other sectors, and accelerate growth in state: Chairman
Kolkata: Reliance Industries (RIL) chairman and managing di rector Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday announced the company’s plans to invest ₹20,000 crore in Bengal in next three years to enhance digital solutions, clean energy sector and focus on other sectors. Ambani, who was speaking at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), said Bengal has potential to become a $1-trillion economy in future.
Ambani, addressing the seventh edition of the summit today in Kolkata, even assured Banerjee that he will keep no stone unturned to accelerate the growth of Bengal. “Bengal has been one of the largest business destinations for Reliance.”
“Reliance has invested close to 45,000 crore in Bengal. We plan to invest an additional ₹20,000 crore in the next three years in three areas. First, to further enhance digital live solutions aimed at augmenting livelihoods in Bengal, providing quality education, healthcare, agricultural solutions. Jio is about to complete the world’s first 5G rollout in India this year and we have covered most of Bengal. We will take it to rural Bengal and every home in Bengal will convert to smart homes,” Ambani elaborated. “AI and Cloud computing can be used in Bengal and it will open up employment. Around 98.8% population coverage in Bengal has been completed.”
“Reliance Retail is increasing its footprint in the state. There will be 1,200 retail stores in the next two years. Our retail business is helping hundreds of MSMEs…,” Ambani added.
“Reliance Retail is increasing its footprint in the state. There will be 1,200 retail stores in the next two years,” says Ambani
“Thirdly, our focus is on Bio- energy. Every corporate has a responsibility to fight the climate crisis and save our planet. We must act now and transition now from fossil fuel to clean green and renewable energy. Reliance is carrying this responsibility with multiple initiatives in new energy, including Bio-energy. India has the potential to become the largest producer of Bio-energy in the world. Reliance has become the country’s biggest producer of Bio- energy based on the company’s indigenous technology.
“We target to set up 100 compressed bio-gas (CBG) plants in the next three years. We will also set up plants in Bengal,” announcing its plan for Bengal. Talking about Bengal’s industrial growth track, Ambani said, “Last time I was here at the summit was in 2019. Over the past four years, Bengal has taken yet a great leap for- ward. Its growth has become faster. Its opportunities for business and investments have become bigger. Bengal is standing taller, more confident, more vibrant, scaling a greater summit of success.”
Praising the leadership qualities of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Ambani said, “Mamata Didi, this transformation has taken place because of your strong, visionary and determined leadership. This is why the people of Bengal have chosen you to lead them again and again.”
He even quoted late PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, and said she is truly called “Agni Kanya”. “Agni of sacrifice has made your golden character shine brighter and now you are making “Sonar Bangla” shine brighter.”
