NY proposes twin state tie-up with Bengal

The West Bengal government has received a proposal of forging a twin state relationship with New York.

"We have have sought an appointment with Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya to discuss the twin state project," New York State Senator Malcolm A Smith, the proposal's architect now visiting Kolkata with a delegation, told PTI.

Approved by the New York assembly, the proposal envisages cooperation between NY and West Bengal in education, healthcare, culture and economic development without going through the formalities of government regulations.

Citing an example of such cooperation, Smith said New York, which faced a challenge in managing healthcare information can draw from West Bengal's huge pool of IT  professionals to tide over the problem.

"In turn, we can offer our wizadry in healthcare technology to West Bengal."

In the economic front, a lot of New York entrepreneurs are interested in setting up business in West Bengal. "Similarly, many enterprises in the state are interested in marketing their product abroad. Our proposal aims at facilitating them," he said.

During his visit to Kolkata in 2004, Smith discussed the twin state concept with the chief minister. "I hope in this trip, we can mutually identify one or two areas where we can start work. We want the engagement to happen before the marriage takes place. This will be of mutual benefit."

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