State Report (2008)

West Bengal, located in the eastern part of India, is one of the most diverse states in terms of culture and ethnicity. It is the 13th largest state in terms of area, but the fourth most populous in the country. Its capital, Kolkata, is one of the largest cities in India. With a gross state domestic product of US$ 48 billion, the state leads in production of various goods. Its agricultural output ranks third in India. Being an agrarian state, it offers tremendous potential for agri-business, given its natural endowments of fertile soil and five agro-climatic zones, coupled with aggressive land reform programmes.

It is the largest producer of vegetables and fruits in the country. West Bengal is the leading exporter of finished leather goods; around 70 per cent of the country's leather goods are exported from the state. Jute textile manufacturing is another important industry. It is the second largest state in India after Maharashtra in paper production.

West Bengal offers one of the largest consumer markets in the country. With a gross state domestic product of US$ 47.85 billion in 2005-06, it is the third largest state economy in India, after Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

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State Presentation (2007)

West Bengal has a strong social infrastructure in terms of educational institutes and medical institutions; the state has a literacy rate of 69.22 per cent, against the national average of 65 per cent.

West Bengal is India's only large state with surplus power - the total generation of power produced by the state agencies was 17115 MU in 2005-06.

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