Speaking at a public function at Haldia after inaugurating the Haldia Trade Fair on January 29, the Governor said: “The creation of the Haldia Development Authority in 1979-80 demonstrated the will and intention of the state government to create an investor-friendly environment for industry in a strategic locality. The presence of the Haldia port complex must also have been the catalyst for selecting Haldia as a cradle for industrial development.”

He added: “I am told the quantum of new investments in the pipeline is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. That is not enough. We must not be complacent.”

More significantly, in reference to the proposed chemical hub at Nayachar, the Governor said that he was hopeful the project would bring prosperity to the area.

“The Centre and the state have recently come to an understanding on setting up a Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) spread over 250 sq km in Haldia mainland and Nayachar island. I am sure the Haldia Port Trust will take steps to further improve its infrastructure to meet the burgeoning demands of the locality,” the Governor said.