Government of India Ministry of MSME
West Bengal

West Bengal

West Bengal was formally established as a state on 1 November, 1956 . It is located in the eastern part of India bordered by Bangladesh to the east, Assam to the north, Odisha to the southwest, Bihar to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the south. The state has an area of 88,752 square km and a population of approximately 9.5 crores (2022 Census).

West Bengal has a mixed economy, with a strong presence in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Rice, jute, tea, and potatoes are some of the key agricultural products, while the state has a thriving jute industry, textile mills, and a significant presence in the pharmaceutical, chemicals, and engineering industries. West Bengal also has a rich heritage of literature, art, and classical music, which contribute to its vibrant cultural scene.

The MSME sector in West Bengal plays a pivotal role in the state’s economic structure, accounting for a significant portion of industrial output and employment. These enterprises serve as the backbone for local economies, especially in rural and underserved areas. They also contribute to the state's export potential through sectors like textiles, jute, food processing, and engineering goods.

West Bengal signed the Letter of Undertaking (LoU) with the Ministry of MSME, Government of India on 12th September 2022. It submitted its Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) on 15th September 2023 and RPC approved projects worth Rs. 84 Cr for West Bengal.

The key projects approved are as follows:

  • Initial Phase and Promotion of Women-led MSMEs
  • Access to Finance-Facilitate Marketplace Lending and Listing of MSMEs in Stock Exchange
  • Access to Market-Implementation of MSME Competitive (Lean) Scheme, Creation Zonal Export Hubs, Exporters Development Programme
  • Access to Technology-One-Stop Platform for AI and IoT Solutions, Sector-Specific Foresight Reports and Web-Portal
  • Capacity Building -Sector-Specific Training
  • Greening-Environmental Risk Mitigation Measures, Zero Effect Zero Defect (ZED) Certification: Promote the adoption of the ZED certification among MSMEs to enhance product quality and environmental sustainability.