Kolkata, July 17 (IANS): The central government's department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) on Friday said it is hopeful about West Bengal bagging a "good rank" in the ongoing survey on ease of doing business.

"I am hopeful that we will see West Bengal get a good rank when the ranking is released in August," DIPP joint secretary Atul Chaturvedi said here while attending a workshop organised by the state's commerce and industries and MSME departments.

The central government has initiated a ranking process whereby it is judging the ease of doing business in all Indian states based on a set of 285 questions. The assessment will be carried out by KPMG which thereafter will be sent out to the World Bank for their endorsement. Post this process, the central government will release the final report.

Chaturvedi, whose department runs the Make in India campaign, said that steps undertaken over the last four years would help businessmen invest in the state.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said: "In the past four years, the West Bengal government has cut through time-consuming and resource-draining procedures - the foe of any business - to spur growth. It has embarked upon smart public administration and e-initiatives that are crucial for industrial competitiveness and economic growth."

DIPP also had made its own assessment on the ease of doing business and recommended further steps necessary to give a fillip to industry.

Mitra said the state has been consistently trying to simplify and speed up procedures to the benefit of businessmen.

"From major industrial establishments to micro, small and medium scale enterprises, including food and agri industries, all stand to benefit from the slew of initiatives started by the state government," he said.

He however said West Bengal was not in the race for ranking.

"It is, however, good if we get a good ranking", he said.