West Bengal Needs a Long Term Industrial Policy to Exploit its Unique Core Competencies

The center of gravity of global economy has shifted to East Asia. In this changed circumstance, West Bengal (India) is destined to play its historical role in the economic and political development of this subcontinent. And to execute this responsibility, effectively and efficiently, the political leadership of the state should formulate a long term strategy taking into account the emerging opportunities and core competencies of its resources- both natural and human. It is argued that while developing agricultural and industrial policies of West Bengal, the unique characteristics of its land (fertility) and inhabitants (capacity to appreciate leisure) have to be kept in mind and be given due importance. Instead of considering ‘idleness’ as a ‘weakness’, the policy makers should treat this trait of its inhabitants as ‘strength’ and develop appropriate plans to make Bengal the ‘cultural capital’ of the country. The basic infrastructure is already in place to make it emerge as the knowledge hub of India. This can only be made possible if the state develops and implements a unique model of education system of its own.