MCCI Destination Haldia Forum...

MCCI Destination Haldia Forum 2019 I 1

MCCI Destination Haldia Forum 2019“Driving Growth : Taking the Leap Forward”

[3rd initiative on Haldia]Tuesday, 24 September 2019 Hotel Golden Retreat, Haldia

A Report

Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Indusatry

Chief Guest : Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of ParliamentGuest of Honour : Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak, Hon’ble Chairman, Haldia Municipality

The Chamber organized the 3rd Seminar on Haldia, “MCCI Destination Haldia Forum 2019” titled “Driving Growth : Taking the Leap Forward” on 24th September 2019 at Hotel Golden Retreat, Haldia.

On its mission to reach out to Tier II & Tier III towns in the state, the Chamber had organized 2 Reach–Out programmes on 28th April 2017 and 25th May, 2018 in Haldia, which were successful in achieving the objectives.

The Forum 2019 was addressed by Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament as the Chief Guest. Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak, Hon’ble Chairman, Haldia Municipality was the Guest of Honour.

Lamp Lighting Ceremony with Chief Guest : Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament [3rd from left]. From R to L : Shri Brij Behari, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation, Haldia Refinery; Shri Ananta Charan Mishra, Executive Vice President – Operations & Plant Head, MCPI Pvt. Ltd.; Shri A K Mahapatra, General Manager (Traffic) I/C, Haldia Dock Complex; Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament; Shri Vishal Jhajharia, President, MCCI and Shri Ananda Gopal Maity, President,

Confederation of Purba & Paschim Medinipur District Chamber of Commerce & Industries


Shri Vishal Jhajharia

Forum Focus :

• Haldia, a symbol of industrial resurgence in West Bengal, is in the process of being transformed into the most coveted industrial destination in eastern India, and also the “gateway to south-east Asia.” The township has generated significant investments in the downstream industries and huge employment opportunities in the state.

• Haldia has primarily been an oil and petrochemical hub in the entire eastern region. Industrial activities based on oil, chemicals, petrochemicals and downstream industries have been growth churners towards development of Haldia. With about 400 industrial units, Haldia has an estimated investment of over Rs. 112 billion and

The Forum was also addressed by the following distinguished Speakers :

u Shri Samit Chatterjee, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Purba Medinipur

u Shri Brij Behari, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation, Haldia Refinery

u Shri A K Mahapatra, General Manager (Traffic) I/C, Haldia Dock Complex

In his Welcome Address, Shri Vishal Jhajharia, President of the Chamber said Haldia has all that it takes to emerge as an engine of growth and a world class economic hub. Haldia Industial Complex came into existence through rigorous and efficient industrial planning. Haldia has now emerged as an important & coveted industrial destination not only in West Bengal but also in the whole of eastern India. The commissioning of Haldia Dock, the setting up of refinery by Indian Oil Corporation, the petrochemical industry propelled by Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., have all led to economic development of the region. This has brought in significant investments in the downstream industries, generating huge employment opportunities in the state. Development of Haldia has been

currently provides direct employment to about 15,000 persons and indirect employment to over 50,000 persons.

• In addition to its chemical and petrochemical base, Haldia has also been declared as a Smart City by the Department of Urban Development, Government of India to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens.

• There are good educational institutions in Haldia covering the fields of engineering, law, medical and maritime studies, as also state–of–the–art hospitals & medical care units catering to myriad needs of the people.

u Shri Ananta Charan Mishra, Executive Vice President – Operations & Plant Head, MCPI Pvt. Ltd.

u Shri Gautam Malik, CEO, Shristi Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

u Shri Ananda Gopal Maity, President, Confederation of Purba & Paschim Medinipur District Chamber of Commerce & Industries


Shri Dibyendu Adhikari

Addressing the Forum, Shri Dibyendu Adhikari spoke about the huge growth potential of Haldia. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, the growth parameters of the state had become much higher than the national average in industry and agriculture. The district of Purba Medinipur has huge potential in the areas of handloom, agriculture, floriculture & horticulture. There are huge investment opportunities for this untapped potential, he noted.

Shri Adhikari pointed out that Haldia is one of the most preferred industrial and service sector investment destinations in the state on account of the efforts of the ‘worthy son of the soil’, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Hon’ble MIC for Transport, Irrigation & Waterways Water Resources Investigation & Development, Government of West Bengal.

He referred to the conducive industry friendly atmosphere in Haldia where there are no strikes and no man days lost. Private sector investments have given a boost to the economic development of the region.

Famous for its strategic position, Haldia is

Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament addressing the Forum as Chief Guest. Seated on the dais [From R to L] : Shri Ananda Gopal Maity, President, Confederation of Purba & Paschim Medinipur District Chamber of Commerce & Industries; Shri Samit Chatterjee, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Purba Medinipur; Shri A K Mahapatra, General Manager (Traffic) I/C, Haldia Dock Complex; Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak, Hon’ble Chairman, Haldia Municipality; Shri Vishal Jhajharia, President, MCCI; Shri Brij Behari, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation, Haldia Refinery; Shri Ananta Charan Mishra, Executive Vice President –

Operations & Plant Head, MCPI Pvt. Ltd. and Shri Souvik Banerjee, DG, MCCI

a noticeable chapter of the industrial journey of West Bengal since Independence. Having progressed quietly but steadily, it is a fine example of what can be achieved if there is trust and co-operation between the investors, the people and the authorities.

The President of the Chamber also requested Hon’ble Chairman of Haldia Municipality to provide some space for opening a branch unit of the Chamber.


Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak

Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak spoke about the pivotal role of the Late Satish Chandra Samanta, who was instrumental in developing Haldia as industrial and cargo hub.

Shri Adak spoke about the robust work culture in Haldia, where there has been no agitation and no loss of mandays.

He mentioned that Haldia is the best place to set up an industrial or cargo unit. Land is available either from HDA or Haldia Municipality. He referred to the Single Window system introduced by Shri Suvendu Adhikari,

located at a distance of around 120 km south-west of Kolkata and 50 km upstream from Bay of Bengal at the confluence of the three rivers, namely, Hooghly, Haldi and Rupnarayan.

Since 1972, Haldia Development Authority (HDA) has been providing the basic infrastructure to the industries and people living in this total area of around 326.85sq.km. HDA is known for speedy allotment of land for industrial, commercial and residential purposes.

Commissioned under the Kolkata Port Trust in 1977, Haldia Dock Complex is a comprehensive system of composite cargo handling facilities with particular emphasis on bulk cargo. Haldia Dock, with its huge hinterland, has been a catalyst in emergence of Haldia as an industrial hub of West Bengal. The setting up of Haldia Refinery by Indian Oil and Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. changed the entire scenario for Haldia with growth of numerous downstream industries.

The district administration and the security personnel have always been very helpful and supportive of the growth. The new integrated traffic management system brought in the smart city of Haldia helped in controlling anti social activities.

The Hon’ble MP invited the business

community to come forward for further investments to set up new units in and around Haldia. Priority should be given to MSME sector for its low capital intensity and high potential for employment generation and exports, he felt.

He also referred to the special monitoring cells for giving approval to project proposals, arrangement of loans etc. and assured all support to the industrialists for investing and setting their units in the region.

The Hon’ble MP felt that there is an urgent need of a burn unit in Haldia, for proper treatment of patients and victims of accidents.

Shri Vishal Jhajharia, President, MCCI [in the middle] with Chief Guest - Shri Dibyendu Adhikari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament [extreme left] and Guest of Honour - Shri Shyamal Kumar Adak, Hon’ble Chairman, Haldia Municipality [extreme right]


Shri Samit ChatterjeeShri Samit Chatterjee mentioned about

the cordial atmosphere for industries created by the positive and proactive role played by the state Government. Referring to the initiatives taken by the State Government, he said that video conferences are being held on the 1st week of every month with all the district

whereby land is chosen and other formalities processed for getting fast clearances.

He requested the industrialists and traders to set up their units in Haldia and assured full support and cooperation to them.

The Hon’ble Chairman, Haldia Municipality complimented MCCI for organizing the Forum every year. He requested the President of the Chamber to open a branch of MCCI in Haldia for providing a platform for industry and business community.

He also stressed on having a burn unit in Haldia for treatment of burn patients.

authorities to address the problems at the root level.

On MSE Facilitation Council to address the problem of delayed payments faced by the MSEs, he said that the state of West Bengal has secured 3rd position after Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh in terms number of cases resolved. Since 2011, Rs. 84 cr. has been settled amicably and 102 cases solved. Since 2018, Rs. 44 cr. has been settled, which has been the highest figure in the country, he noted.

The MSE Facilitation Council is being monitored closely by the Directorate of MSME, Govt. of West Bengal to ensure amicable settlements of pending payments. Meetings are held each and every month at the Director’s level. Plain paper documentation is good enough to file cases.

He expressed satisfaction that recently, fees for Fire License has been reduced by 92%. He felt that this is a simple message


(IOC) Haldia Refinery is committed towards development of business synergies to leverage upon the latest technology and unleash the potential to develop Haldia as a self sufficient industrial hub. He felt that new products should evolve and and new technologies harnessed.

While charting out the future roadmap, the Executive Director of IOC Haldia said that IOC has evolved as an energy company, it is no longer a standalone only–oil company, also pursuing the gas sector. IOC Haldia is fully focused on the requirements of the industry, catering to the needs of the people, following best practices to create global benchmarks. IOC’s Haldia Refinery is the only coastal refinery and the only one that produces lubricant base stocks.

Haldia Refinery is capable of delivering a series of products including fuel products according variable market demand. Recently Haldia unit has commissioned 2 mega units of Bottom of the Barrel Technology. With this technology, IOC Haldia has been successful to produce 50,000 tonnes of diesel for the district as also for distribution, transportation and exports. He spoke about an increase in capacity from 7.5 mt to 8 mt from 1st January 2020. This enhanced capacity will be met mostly from imported crude and a vision to supply the surplus to countries like Denmark, Bangladesh & Bhutan. He also mentioned about Pet coke & sulphuric acid from Haldia, for downstream industries for value chain optimization.

He felt that the transition from BS IV to BS VI is indeed a touch task for the oil industry. In other countries, it has taken around 9 years, whereas in India it will be done in 2~2 ½ years. He declared that IOC Haldia will be BS VI compliant from 1st December onwards. This transition will change the roadmap of

from the Government to set up industries.

The GM, District Industries Centre, Purba Medinipur thanked MCCI for organizing such an important forum every year, which will go a long way in strengthening the industrial base of Haldia.

Shri Brij Behari

Shri Brij Behari extended compliments to MCCI for this unique effort and initiative to foster growth while bringing all the stakeholders together to create positive synergy. Haldia has evolved as a major industrial and petrochemical hub under the able guidance of Shri Suvendu Adhikari and Shri Dibyendu Adhikari to create further benchmark, he noted.

India is the only country with a robust demand projection after China. Between 2015 and 2035, the demand growth projection for petroleum products in India has been around 129%, compared to 2~4% in US, Russia and Japan, he observed.

He said that India Oil Corporation


Shri A K Mahapatra

Shri Ananta Charan MishraShri Ananta Charan Mishra observed

that Haldia is the coastal gateway to the North East, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states. There is a demand, and the point is how best the demand can be captured and utilized.

He stressed on the availability of skilled and peaceful work force, which is the mainstay of the region, days of labour unrest are gone.

LPG is having a tremendous growth, with HPL and BPCL having huge growth. To handle that, the road condition, parking condition and sewage condition should be looked after well.

He stressed on setting up of a yearly

Shri A K Mahapatra said that Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) has one of the longest channels in the country. With the 2–dock system at Kolkata and Haldia, HDC was commissioned in 1977 to handle bulk cargo. Developments started at Haldia with commissioning of IOCL and HPL, with many others to follow like MCPI, Emami, Ruchi Soya and others.

He pointed out that Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has a vast hinterland with almost half of India and 2 landlocked countries Nepal and Bhutan. Number of vessels handled at Kolkata Port during 2017-2018 was the highest amongst all major Indian Ports.

Growth of HDC has been the highest among all the major ports in India. The GM Traffic I/C said that due to huge modernization programmes at HDC, there had been a significant growth in total volume and value. HDC had experienced a growth of 18.62% in total volume in 2018.

He said that Haldia Dock had been aiming big to increase the volume to 50 million tonnes (mt), last year it was around 40.5 mt. 14 jetties and 6 vessels were operational in HDC, as also the Floating Jetty, which was commissioned in March 2018. He spoke about the recent initiatives like automation of lock gates, reduction of landing cost and increase in throughput. He also referred to 8.6 metres draft availability.

He referred to an Agreement with Hooghly Oil & Gas Terminal Pvt Ltd on a PPP basis at an investment of 172.51 crore, for a liquid cargo handling terminal at Shalukhali in Haldia. The project will help reduce pre-berthing detention and turnaround time of tankers carrying different liquid cargo, leading to a reduction in logistics costs to trade.

automobile industry.

He also mentioned about a mutual business partnership with Haldia Petrochemicals (HPL), which is in the process, to create a win – win situation.


Shri Gautam Malik was of the opinion that in spite of having all the ingredients of growth, Haldia has not taken off to that extent.

He referred to Matangini Hajra, the reputed freedom fighter of India as also another son–of–the soil, the rags to riches story, Dr. Mani Bhowmik, father of Laser Technology, who has invented the lasik eye surgery. He felt that the entire geography of Haldia has the ingredient of moving forward.

He observed that Haldia could develop much beyond the present level and can be at par with Singapore, Hong Kong and New York. Haldia inherently has all the ingredients and advantages that these cities have and much more. It is a port city with large industries, great governance, robust educational eco system and skilled work force. The prospects of Haldia are immense. There are many good

disaster drill, to handle offsite disaster.

He mentioned about a moratorium that was imposed in 2010, which got lifted in 2013 due to the efforts of Shri Suvendu Adhikari. From 2013 to 2019, Haldia has had tremendous growth.

He said that the close and cordial relationship between industries and the Government in Haldia, has been a very good signal, providing full cooperation to the industries.

The VP Operations mentioned that MCPI plant has been planning a massive expansion and of doubling the capacity.

He said that the product PTA is the raw material for cotton industry, which goes to Gujarat. He felt that there exists a lot of opportunities for the textile part in Kolkata as tax rebate are being given to cotton textile industry, which can be explored in the eastern region.

Shri Gautam Malik


Shri Ananda Gopal Maity

Shri Ananda Gopal Maity spoke on the rich history of this region including Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and other stalwarts.

He stressed on development of infrastructure, development of agriculture and industry simultaneously.

He said that this region is blessed with a large digitally literate middle class, which should be leveraged.

In this huge growth story of Haldia, the need of the hour would be to join hands together with all the stakeholders involving the districts, for further development.

The Forum ended with a hearty Vote of Thanks by Shri Souvik Banerjee, Director General of the Chamber.

educational institutes on medicine, engineering & technology, management, social science, research and others encompassing every sphere.

Haldia can a hub for West Bengal, a hub for Eastern India. Apart from being an industrial hub, it can become a training hub. Haldia can grow as the financial hub for entire state and eastern India.

He felt that in order to become the gateway to the South East Asia, the following parameters are extremely important :

è A hub for MSME and entrepreneurship : Development of the MSME sector apart from the large industries, which will be the lifeline for the masses.

è Great connectivity : an airport is a must. With good air connectivity, Haldia will attract investors from the foreign lands to a great extent. May be a satellite airport could do. Even, helicopter services could be introduced. Once connectivity is ensured, things will change.

è Transportation system should be further developed with high speed trains for rapid connectivity of Haldia with Kolkata, Burdwan, Durgapur, Medinipur and other cities.

è World class entertainment with golf course for expatriates and others. People will come in for weekends.

The above will ensure that prospects fructify and challenges overcome. Cost of living in Haldia is much lower than that in other cities, there will be a huge growth surge, he noted.

The Government has to ensure a happening ecosystem for private entrepreneurs. With the present dynamic leadership at the Government and local authorities, Haldia will definitely take a giant leap forward, he added.


Key Takeaways:

F Development of Haldia has been a noticeable chapter of the industrial journey of West Bengal since Independence. Having progressed quietly but steadily, it is a fine example of what can be achieved if there is trust and co-operation between the investors, the people and the authorities.

F Haldia is one of the most preferred industrial and service sector investment destinations in the state. Owing to the conducive industry-friendly atmosphere in Haldia, there are no strikes and no man days lost. The new integrated traffic management system brought in the smart city of Haldia helped in controlling anti social activities.

F Haldia Dock has been a catalyst in emergence of Haldia as an industrial hub of West Bengal. The setting up of Haldia Refinery by Indian Oil and Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. changed the entire scenario for Haldia with growth of numerous downstream industries. Private sector investments have given a boost to the economic development of the region.

F Land is available either from HDA or Haldia Municipality. Since 1972, Haldia Development Authority (HDA) has been providing the basic infrastructure to the industries and people living in this total area of around 326.85sq.km. There exists a Single Window system, whereby land is chosen and other formalities processed for getting fast clearances. HDA is known for speedy allotment of land for industrial, commercial and residential purposes.

F The district administration and the security personnel have always been very helpful and supportive of the growth. The

special monitoring cells give fast approval to project proposals, arrangement of loans etc. and assured all support to the industrialists for investing and setting their units in the region.

F Haldia could develop much beyond the present level and can be at par with the famous port cities of New York, Singapore and Hong Kong. Haldia inherently has all the ingredients and advantages that these cities have and much more.

F Haldia is a port city with large industries, great governance, robust educational eco system and skilled work force. The prospects of Haldia are immense. There are many good educational institutes on medicine, engineering & technology, management, social science, research and others encompassing every sphere.

F Haldia has the potential to become the gateway to South East Asia. It can a hub for West Bengal as also of Eastern India. Apart from being an industrial hub, Haldia can grow as the financial hub for entire state and eastern India.

F In order to ensure a growth surge, the following are important :

o A hub for MSME and entrepreneurship : Development of the MSME sector apart from the large industries, which will be the lifeline for the masses.

o Great connectivity : an airport is a must. With good air connectivity, Haldia will attract more investors from the foreign lands. May be a satellite airport could do. Even, helicopter services could be introduced.

o Transportation system should be


Report written and compiled by Smt. Munmun Banerjee, Assistant Director General, MCCI

further developed with high speed trains for rapid connectivity of Haldia with Kolkata, Burdwan, Durgapur, Medinipur and other cities.

o World class entertainment with golf course for expatriates and others. People will come in for weekends.

F Cost of living in Haldia is much lower than that in other cities. If the prospects are fructified and challenges overcome, there will be a quantum jump in growth.

F Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has evolved from a standalone only–oil company to an energy company, also pursuing the gas sector. IOC’s Haldia Refinery is the only coastal refinery and the only one that produces lubricant base stocks.

F Recently IOC Haldia has commissioned 2 mega units of Bottom of the Barrel Technology. The production capacity will increase from 7.5 mt to 8 mt from 1st January 2020. This enhanced capacity will be met mostly from imported crude and a vision to supply the surplus to countries like Denmark, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

F IOC Haldia will be BS VI compliant from 1st December 2019 onwards. This transition will change the roadmap of automobile industry.

F Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) has one of the longest channels in the country. Growth of HDC has been the highest among all the major ports in India. Haldia Dock had been aiming big to increase the volume to 50 million tonnes (mt), last year it was around

40.5 mt. 14 jetties and 6 vessels were operational in HDC, as also the Floating Jetty, which was commissioned in March 2018.

F HDC has signed an Agreement with Hooghly Oil & Gas Terminal Pvt Ltd on a PPP basis at an investment of 172.51 crore, for a liquid cargo handling terminal at Shalukhali in Haldia. The project will help reduce pre-berthing detention and turnaround time of tankers carrying different liquid cargo, leading to a reduction in logistics costs to trade.

F MCPI plant has been planning a massive expansion and of doubling the capacity. PTA is the raw material for cotton industry, which goes to Gujarat. There exists a lot of opportunities for the textile part in Kolkata as tax rebate are being given to cotton textile industry, which can be explored in the eastern region.

F Setting up of a yearly disaster drill is important, to handle offsite disaster.

F There is an urgent need of a burn unit in Haldia, for timely and proper treatment of patients and victims of accidents.

F In this huge growth story of Haldia, the need of the hour would be to join hands together with all the stakeholders involving the districts, for further development.

F As in the past, in the future too, a happening ecosystem has to be ensured for private entrepreneurs. With the present dynamic leadership at the Government and local authorities, Haldia will definitely take a giant leap forward.


Date post:	05-Mar-2021
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	13 times
Download:	1 times

MCCI Destination Haldia Forum...

Documents