BS reported that Russia is keen on lending its technical expertise in coal mining equipment to West Bengal, which has huge reserves of coal, but not appropriate machinery.

Mr Vladimir V Lazarev, Consul General of Russia in Kolkata said that "West Bengal could possibly use Russian equipment for coal mining since the region has huge potential and could benefit from the use of such technology."

Mr Lazarev said that West Bengal and the eastern region also had an enormous potential and the state government has initiated several reforms aimed at the socio economic progress, which had created a favorable environment for favorable business climate, offering new opportunity and vistas of cooperation.

He said that "As it is well known, the Russian experts are offering their expertise at Durgapur, Rourkela and Bokaro steel plants which are undergoing modernization along with the power station at Orissa. The Russian company Technopromexport has commenced construction of the Barh thermo power station in Bihar and has opened its office in Kolkata."

(Sourced from Business Standard)