News Brief
Arjun Brij
Feb 06, 2025, 11:06 AM | Updated 11:06 AM IST
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At the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, announced a major investment commitment of Rs 50,000 crore in West Bengal by the end of this decade, as reported by PTI.
This pledge is a significant continuation of the company’s growing presence in the state, having already invested a similar amount in the last 10 years.
Ambani expressed his optimism about the state’s future, stating, “Today, in less than a decade, our investments in Bengal have increased 20 times, and we have invested over Rs 50,000 crore. Mamata Didi, we shall double this investment by the end of this decade. Our investments have created over one lakh direct jobs.”
Ambani highlighted Bengal’s strategic location, improving infrastructure, and, most importantly, its “super-intelligent” people.
The Reliance chairman outlined five key focus areas for the company’s future in Bengal.
First, he announced that Reliance Jio’s digital infrastructure would be further strengthened, with Kolkata’s data centre being upgraded to an AI-ready facility, set to be operational within nine months.
Jio’s 5G network now covers the entire population of Bengal, and a new cable landing station in Digha will further boost connectivity.
Reliance Retail plans to expand its store network from 1,300 to 1,700 within three years, alongside a significant expansion of warehouse space. Ambani also reiterated the company’s New Commerce initiative, which empowers local kiranas by integrating them with modern retail.
Ambani also touched on his commitment to Bengal’s artisan economy through the "Swadesh" initiative, with plans to showcase Bengal’s iconic products, like ‘Jamdani’ and ‘Taant’ sarees, in stores across India and abroad, including London, New York, and Paris.
Finally, Ambani emphasised Reliance’s New Energy initiative, aiming to contribute to Bengal’s green economy by launching projects promoting solar energy, as well as the Reliance Foundation’s collaboration with the state government on the Kalighat Temple renovation.
Ambani praised the state’s business-friendly climate, inviting other investors to take advantage of the “red carpet treatment” offered by the government.
Arjun Brij is an Editorial Associate at Swarajya. He tweets at @arjun_brij