Malda to See Rs. 1,200 Crore Investment in MSME Sector, Creating 6,000 Jobs

Over 6,000 jobs would be created in the Malda district over the next six months by private industry investments of Rs 1,200 crore in the MSME (micro, small, and medium businesses) sector, according to top district administration officials' claims on Friday.

We have got offers to invest Rs 1,168 crore in Malda's MSME sector. The next six months will probably see the implementation of these suggestions. Approximately 6,300 individuals would be able to find work thanks to these units combined, according to district magistrate Nitin Singhania's statement today.

His statement was made the day after the North Bengal Business Meet, which took place in Siliguri on Thursday.

Approximately five hundred business owners from all across north Bengal had gathered for the meeting, along with top state government officers and representatives from many districts. The chief secretary, H K Dwivedi, said after the meeting that they had received investment bids totaling Rs 24,000 crores for the area.

A summary of the industrial units formed in the current fiscal year and those scheduled to be established during the next six months, according to sources in the Malda district administration, was sent to the chief secretary.

The MSME industry in Malda has received investments of Rs 641.17 crores during the most recent fiscal year (2022–2023). A source said, "142 industrial units have opened in the district overall, and about 4,000 people have jobs in these units."

Along with hatcheries, rice and flour mills, poly-textile factories, and units producing biomass briquettes, stainless steel pipes, and plastic goods, other units that have emerged include those that produce starch.

"According to an official, we have proposals for units that will produce cement paint, wall putty, plywood, fish and cattle feed, carpet, plastic furniture, steel fabrication, ethanol and related products, and bakery products and beverages."

When some of the young people in the area go to other states in search of employment, these industrial developments will open up prospects for them. Approximately 5,000 individuals from Malda are employed in other states.

During her visit to Malda, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee repeatedly emphasized that the state is taking steps to generate jobs in the area so that residents won't have to go to other states in order to support themselves.

According to Malda Chamber of Commerce President Jayanta Kundu, creating jobs via the growth of the MSME sector is one approach to lower the number of migratory laborers.

"We applaud the state government's and the district administration's efforts to attract private investments to this area. People are becoming acquainted with the carpet clusters that the government is erecting around the area. In the past, many of these carpet weavers from here who worked in states like Uttar Pradesh died in accidents, according to Kundu.

The Malda Mango Merchants' Association president, Uzzal Saha, stated: "Malda's geographic location is an advantage for us." The area is well-connected to the rest of the nation and a great place for business ventures.