Thursday, January 19 2006 16:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee today (Jan 19, 2006) called on the Prime Minister of Czech Republic Jiri Paroubek and held wide-ranging discussions relating to trade ties between the state and Prague.

Emerging from a close-door meeting at a five-star hotel here, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic Swapan Sadhan Bose told sources that Bhattacharjee had discussed the possibility of exporting fresh fruits, vegetables and fish to that country.

He also urged the Czech PM, who is here in connection with the CII Partnership Summit 2006, to look into the possibility of cooperation in the leather sector, where West Bengal has great potential.

"The issue of establishing flight connectivity between Prague and Kolkata also cropped up during the meet," Bose said.

He said that if Kolkata and Prague were connected by air, then tourism would get a big boost in West Bengal.