GOA has the potential to become a big investment destination: GOA Chief Minister

NEW DELHI, Dec 18, 2020 – The state of Goa has been growing at the rate 10.88 percent between the years 2015-16 and 2019-21 due to faster growth in sectors like mining, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, stated Goa chief minister, Shri Pramod Sawant, Honourable Chief Minister of Goa at the ASSOCHAM Foundation Week in the Session on Goa- organized by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Shri Sawant mentioned that Govt. of Goa has prepared a roadmap for the future of Goa. “Our aim is to develop Goa as a skill intensive hub of economic activity where the systems of production are enmeshed with ecological protection to ensure a quality of life that is sustainable,” he said.

He explained that an amended Investment Promotion Act will soon be passed in Goa to facilitate investments in key focus sectors like IT, education, films, entertainment, tourism etc.

“Our IT policy offers many incentives while our Startup policy aims to give an opportunity to young entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in order to make Goa the preferred startup destination of India.  The infrastructural projects taken up by my government is definitely going to make Goa more attractive for Investors as well as for tourists,” He pointed out.

He also added that to facilitate the tourism industry extension of licences and the amendment in Excise Laws to make it simpler and remove some provisions like requirement of police clearance every year has already been done.

Shri Joseph Coelho, Chief Operating Officer & Interim Director, Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore congratulated ASSOCHAM for organising this collaborative discussion amongst the Government and Industries to drive the larger Goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat. “We at Vedanta are fully committed to be an equal partner in this journey by unlocking the true potential of the Natural resource industry through most sustainable practices. We welcome the policy reforms introduced by the Central Government which are extremely vital to Overcome the Economic Crisis precipitated due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the same shall put back our country on the Growth Path. I am also confident that the Government will further take appropriate steps towards resolving the Goa Mining stalemate very soon which would not only get the industry back on its feet but also provide livelihood of Lakhs of Goans.” He said.

Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, President, ASSOCHAM and Co- Founder & Managing Director, Hiranandani Group of Companies stated that the strong focus of Goa state in industrial sector will play a pivotal role in improving competitiveness of industries, adoption of efficient technology, making it ready for next generation industries along with Goa state driving India to become US$5 trillion economy.

“Proactive and responsive Goa Government is building infrastructure in the state to create a conducive environment to bring in investment which will contribute to achieve US $5 trillion economy for our country,” Dr. Hiranandani stated.

Shri Vineet Agarwal, Sr. Vice President, ASSOCHAM and Managing Director, Transport Corporation of India Limited stated that Goa is a market brand by itself with millions of visitors every year. “Goa should take the advantage of this and become India’s first Smart state as a world class business destination for industries and consumers for an Aatmanirbhar India,” He said.

Congratulating on the upcoming liberation day of Goa, Shri Mangirsh Pai Raikar, said: “ASSOCHAM is always ready to extend its help and support to the Govt. of Goa, we also congratulate the Dr Pramod Sawant and Govt. of Goa for a big win in recently happened Zilla Panchayat Elections”.