Sanjay Budhia, is an ace business man, full of energy, who represents one of Eastern India's most prestigious premier brand, the key person behind Patton Industries and the MD of Patton. Our special correspondent Subhajit Bhattacharya in an interaction tried to know the secrets behind his success in Bengal.

What is your opinion on the rise of new Bengal?
Sanjay: I would say that this is the time for Bengal. The time when people in the global market are looking with hope and great reliance at it. I think businessman are very happy and eager to invest in the booming economy of Bengal. I don't think its only IT, if you look at the Agro industries and pharma then you can realize that every industry is at a very good stage in West Bengal. The State Govt is all geared to provide several benefits across the industry to woo businessman, Govt is also trying to put more thrust on manufacturing industry with the aim to create more job opportunities in the state. TATA's small car industry is boon to the state's economy and as far as we know that it will be in full swing from the mid of this year which will help to create tremendous employment opportunities for local people.

We all know that West Bengal is a Agro based state and that does not mean that we only have to promote the agriculture but at the same time we have to promote industry as well Now this is the time for globalization when we have to move hand in hand with both agriculture and industry. We have to make it in such a way so that both of them compliment each other, we have to amalgamate both of them so that the agro-based industry in the state get maximum profit .To do this in a more successful and robust way the Govt. has to be proactive and have to communicate to the farmers, so that the miscommunication or the misunderstanding doesn't come in between. The people of West Bengal should understand that what ever is done is done for the betterment of the people of the state, so it is not an personal agenda but it is an agenda for the development of the people.

Do you think with this industrial boom the state's work culture and the intervention of the union in the industry will completely removed?
Sanjay: I know that this kind of scenario in a state definitely discourages, the business community to come to the state, but if you see our organization, we are doing business here for a long time ,but I would be very proud to say that we haven't lost a single working day for all these chaos. The main thing behind this is that you have to be clear to your employees and you always have to project what ever is true and don't make any kind of hype but we should be honest and transparent. I think with the rapid growth and industrialization in the state, the bandhs, strikes and these kind of hazard will definitely vanish.

You have an experience of working with the TATA's very closely. Do you think that big names like them will help in over all development of the state?
Sanjay: Yes I have been working with the Tata's for a long time. We have invested in some of the companies of Tata, we have sizable equity in the tin plate company of Tata and a holding of about 13-14%. We also have equity in the tata metalics limited. I think TATA's are trusted name. So according to me they are the best and partnering with them will go a long way. I would say that their presence in the state will help in development of market within the state complimented with the development in the infrastructure with a robust growth in ancillary industries.

In the last few years the F.D.I. in the state has increased from 1789.3million to 194.4 million. Why do you think that WB became the cynosure of the global business community?
Sanjay: There is actually no magic behind it, the main mantra is very simple .As I have said that the govt of WB is moving in a focused way to enhance the business environment in the state . The Govt. machinery under the leadership of the Chief Minister along with the press has done a good job. West Bengal is now very much on the radar of the foreign investors like Mumbai, Chennai etc. But we should not be complacent and strive hard to improve our position further. A sustained marketing about the potential of West Bengal to the investors is crucial & vital. The infrastructure in the state has to grow with the state's development parallely. We are talking about second airport and also about second port in the state. So you can see that the necessity is the mother of invention. As the investors will come, the development will also occur.

The export scenario in the state is not so good. The state has been ranked 7th amongst the other Indian states. What do you think is the reason and how we can change it?
Sanjay: Yes, right now the state is lagging behind in the export industry, for this we have to give separate attention to the exports. We also have to give maximum priority. With the change in the business scenario in the state, export industry will also get a boost. I have personally discussed this matter with the (Hon.) finance minister Mr. Asim Dasgupta ,and the Govt. is eager to make necessary changes and policies for enhancement of exports.

As a (Hon.) consul of Malaysia in West Bengal which are the field in the state you think you can promote in Malaysia?
Sanjay: I think Bengal has a great potential in the field of tourism and also agro industries and both the countries are very eager to have good bilateral relationship. So I am trying to project Bengal in the best possible way.

Where do you expect to see Bengal after another 5 years?
Sanjay: I definitely want my state to develop as fast as possible and I want to see it as "Best Bengal" and not West Bengal.