Kolkata port to join hands for building tea, logistics hub

The state government of West Bengal is actively exploring the possibility of partnering with the Kolkata Port Trust, also known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), to establish a tea processing hub near Kolkata and a logistics hub in Balagarh. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance the state's export capabilities, boosting trade and economic growth. During a 'Stakeholders Consultation on Enhancing Export and Import' event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Vandana Yadav, the State Industry Secretary, revealed the government's intention to create a tea processing hub in proximity to Kolkata Port. Currently, there is no dedicated tea processing facility in the region. Yadav emphasized that tea from North Bengal is processed and packaged for export, but some packages brought to Kolkata for testing prior to shipment often incur damage. Furthermore, a significant portion of tea from the region is blended in Dubai and then exported to various markets after value addition. The government aims to streamline these processes and value addition within West Bengal. She highlighted the potential for the state to serve as a facilitator if it could secure 10-12 acres of land from the port for this purpose. This collaboration between the state government and the Kolkata Port Trust has the potential to significantly enhance West Bengal's export capabilities and strengthen its position in the global trade market.