Kolkata, 25th September 2024: Bengal Shopping Festival 2024, the first-of-its-kind shopping extravaganza, organised by the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Association (CWBTA) in collaboration with West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited (WBIDC), came to a grand conclusion on Tuesday, 24th September 2024 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan. The festival aimed to transform West Bengal into a global shopping destination, highlighting the region’s thriving retail and commercial potential. The ceremony witnessed valuable insights from Mr Manoj Pant, Chief Secretary to Government of West Bengal; Mr Rajesh Pandey, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of MSME&T, Government of West Bengal; and Ms Vandana Yadav, MD, WBIDC.

The five-day expo witnessed an impressive footfall of over 1.5 lakh attendees and generated sales worth INR 100 crore approximately. Featuring over 430 exhibitors from various sectors, including fashion, electronics, handicrafts and food, the event also included cultural performances and interactive sessions, making it a holistic experience for shoppers and businesses alike. The expo successfully showcased Bengal’s diversity, innovation and retail strength, further positioning the state as a crucial player in India’s growing consumer market. With the Bengal Shopping Festival, the state has taken a bold step toward integrating local businesses with the global retail ecosystem, fostering economic growth and strengthening West Bengal’s position as a preferred shopping destination.

Commenting on the successful expo, Mr Manoj Pant, Chief Secretary to Government of West Bengal, stated, “It has been a long journey of planning and collaboration and I am thrilled to witness the outstanding outcome today. To everyone who has been associated with this event, as well as to all the participants who contributed to its success, my sincerest appreciation and congratulations. The performances and displays across all the halls have been exceptional, especially the showcase of Geographical Indication (GI) products, which highlight the unique craftsmanship and heritage of our state. Looking ahead, I am confident that this event will grow even larger in the coming years, expanding its reach to encompass a wider audience and attract even more participants. The success we’ve achieved here marks the beginning of a new era of showcasing the best of West Bengal to the world and I am certain next year’s edition will be even grander.”

Delivering the closing statement, Mr Sushil Poddar, President, Confederation of West Bengal Trade Association (CWBTA), said, “The soil and air of Bengal possess a unique magic. It is here that we continually ignite innovative ideas, like the Bengal Shopping Festival, showcasing our ability to turn vision into reality. What the country thinks, Bengal does. We have once again demonstrated that Bengal is not just about heritage but also about innovation, growth and a dynamic force driving the Indian economy. This event sets the stage for future collaborations and positions West Bengal as a global retail hub. We look forward to making this an annual event that continues to raise the bar.”