Pitching West Bengal as an attractive destination for food processing companies, Abdul Rezzak Mollah, Minister for food processing industry & horticulture, on Wednesday said that “there were no big investments” in the sector in recent times. And companies should look towards “tapping” this sector in the coming days.

According to Mollah, there are enough opportunities across verticals such as meat processing, edible oil (rice bran) production and ketchup making.

A long free coastline in the State can be used in exploring options for marine products including fish and shrimp exports.

However, so far, it has been the “tiny”, micro, small and medium enterprises which have taken some steps towards having units.

“There have been some investments from MSMEs but big investments have eluded us. Consdering the opportunities in the sector, I would like to see big names come in and invest,” he said during a seminar of food processing organised by the CII.

“Of course, companies will come here and invest expecting profits. They won’t invest for the sake of charity,” Mollah added.

Mollah, who headed the land and land reforms department in the erstwhile Left Front cabinet; was said to be a vehement critic of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s industrial policy. Post his expulsion from the CPI(M), he joined the incumbent Trinamool Congress.

The minister further pointed out that one of the reasons which possibly is holding back investments in the sector could be the high initial capital requirements.

“Most of the equipment required for setting up a food processing unit have to be imported and require huge capital. We (the State government) is looking at what can be done in this regard,” he added.

According to Mollah, the State has also allowed “participatory farming, thereby making it easier agro-based companies to enter into supply contracts with farmers.