Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, Graced the Occasion as Chief Guest
Kolkata, 29 September 2026: The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce held the Inaugural Session of its 195th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 29th September 2026, at The Lalit Great Eastern, Kolkata. The prestigious occasion was graced by Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. Ms. Vandana Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal, also graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Welcoming the distinguished dignitaries and members, Shri Anant Saharia, President, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, delivered the Welcome Address. The Inaugural Session was particularly significant as it marked the 195th Annual General Meeting of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, representing a remarkable institutional journey spanning nearly two centuries.
He remarked that as we look towards Viksit Bharat @2047, our responsibility is to carry this legacy forward. India’s transformation will require stronger manufacturing, higher productivity, innovation, skills, infrastructure and deeper integration with global value chains. Indian enterprises must increasingly move from participating in global markets to becoming global suppliers, technology partners and internationally recognized brands. Under the leadership of our Chief Guest, India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements is opening new avenues for Indian exporters and businesses and increasing our share in global trade.
He further added Bengal has a remarkable industrial, commercial, intellectual and entrepreneurial heritage. For decades, it was one of the principal engines of India’s economic and industrial development. West Bengal possesses many of the ingredients required: a strategic location, a large talent pool, established industrial capabilities, ports and logistics infrastructure, strong educational institutions and a long tradition of entrepreneurship.
Our strengths in engineering, steel, jute, tea, textiles, chemicals, services and trade, combined with opportunities in IT, electronics, logistics, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, can provide the foundation for a new phase of industrial growth.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Shri Jitin Prasada spoke on India’s Growth Engines & Bengal’s Potential. Shri Jitin Prasad, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and IT, delivered a keynote at the 195th AGM of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce* He outlined a vision for India’s economic trajectory, emphasizing the synergy between technology and trade, and the specific opportunities for West Bengal to reclaim its industrial glory.
Ha said India’s current growth is propelled by two primary engines: technology and trade. India has successfully culminated FTAs with the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and Oman, as well as the EFTA block (Liechtenstein, Norway, etc.). The developed world no longer views India merely as a market to sell products, but as an equal partner. The Minister emphasized that foreign entities should enter joint ventures and partner with Indian startups and industry rather than just extracting profit. India’s 1.5 billion people are now viewed as a strength rather than a burden. Rising aspirations in rural areas have created a massive internal market for quality goods (e.g., the shift from coolers to air conditioners and the demand for washing machines).
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Vandana Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal, Guest of Honour, shared his perspectives on the development of industry, commerce and enterprise in West Bengal and the importance of strengthening the State’s industrial and business ecosystem.
The programme concluded with Vote of Thanks by Shri Annurag Jhunjhunwala, Senior Vice President, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.
