Bengal Minister Looks At Belfast Regeneration Projects

2 August 2005
BENGAL MINISTER LOOKS AT BELFAST REGENERATION PROJECTS
The West Bengal Minister for Municipal and Urban Affairs, Mr Ashoke Bhattacharya, was in Belfast this week to study regeneration projects.
He was hosted by the Department for Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office on behalf of the UK Department of International Development.
Members of the delegation will be amongst those responsible for developing major waterfront and inner city areas in Kolkata Metropolitan Area (formerly known as Calcutta). They were particularly interested in Laganside and the steps that were taken to unlock the potential of the waterfront areas in a former industrial city by harnessing private sector investment and community involvement.
As well as looking at Laganside, the Minister visited the Victoria Square project and the Gaswork Employment Matching Service (GEMS). The Service aims to ensure that the communities in Belfast benefit from the increased job opportunities and prosperity that new waterfront development brings.
Whilst in Belfast, the Minister met the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Wallace Browne, and Lord Rana, the Honorary Indian Consul in Northern Ireland and founder of property development and hospitality company, Andras House.
Invest NI also met Mr Bhattacharya's party during their stay to explore the potential trade opportunities for NI companies in the Kolkata area.

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