The IT industry in West Bengal has called on the state government to fast-track the notification of a Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy aimed at attracting fresh investments and generating high-paying jobs in the region.
On Friday, the state Information Technology (IT) department held a consultation session with industry leaders to gather suggestions and review the progress of projects at the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub, the state’s flagship IT cluster.
During the session, industry representatives stressed the need for a proactive GCC policy that would position Bengal on par with other states actively courting global tech investments. They also urged the government to conduct roadshows outside Bengal to showcase the state’s infrastructure, policy benefits, and incentives to potential investors, particularly in sectors such as software products, hardware, electronics, and emerging industries like semiconductors.
A key concern raised by the industry was the skill gap among graduates, highlighting the need to revise curricula in government colleges and technical institutions to incorporate training in artificial intelligence (AI), soft skills, and other emerging technologies. Stakeholders further recommended creating a dedicated mentor group for startups to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship.
Representing the government, state IT minister Babul Supriyo assured industry participants that work on the GCC policy is underway.
“We will make it in a manner so that it is on a par with the other states,”
— Babul Supriyo, West Bengal IT Minister
The minister also detailed other measures to promote ease of doing business in Bengal, including:
- Extending working hours for the IT industry
- Introducing a dedicated data centre policy
- Offering plots at concessional rates within the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub
He added that he has already visited Bengaluru as part of the state’s outreach to attract IT investments and will continue these efforts.
With the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub emerging as a key driver for IT growth, the proposed GCC policy is expected to help Bengal position itself as a preferred destination for global capability centres, which are vital for creating a robust digital economy and thousands of high-value jobs.
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