While Reliance may fund its way into West Bengal's manufacturing sector in 2008, mega projects announced in areas like steel and power have been the backbone of the state's investments in 2007. The manufacturing sector, which primarily comprises food, iron and steel and chemicals together contributed Rs 34,000 crore sum to the state's investment pie, leaving Gujarat, at Rs 29,000 crore behind.

In yet another first, West Bengal has also managed to gain entry into the league of top five states in terms of total outstanding investments in the country. Displaying a massive increase of 45 per cent over last year, the state displaced Karnataka to occupy fourth spot with its impressive kitty of 1,090 projects valued at Rs 1.8 lakh crore.

The turnaround, say investors, has largely been due to the efforts of the CM.