CM Pramod Sawant on Friday pitched Goa as a favourable investment destination that has supportive policies, excellent road infrastructure, skilled labour and globally-recognised value. Sawant released the new industry policy for Goa at the Invest Goa 2022 summit, where he also promised to ease all hurdles for investors who choose to do business in Goa.
In his address at the two-day investment summit, Sawant said that there has been an improvement in the ease of doing business environment, with significant reforms brought in.
In a bid to increase private sector participation in Goa’s economy, the state is willing to offer special incentive packages for mega-projects that bring in more than Rs 100 crore, along with a single-window clearance and greater emphasis on public-private participation, said senior government officials.
Sawant informed investors that the greenfield airport at Mopa will be inaugurated in December at the hands of PM Narendra Modi.
“In ease of doing business, over the past three years, Goa has witnessed a spate of reforms,” said Sawant. “The new industrial policy is industry friendly, where one requires just a self-attested declaration rather than NOCs, which is a game changer.”
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Ernest & Young (EY) organised the event at the Taleigao community centre.
Sawant handed over letters of intent to 23 firms which have submitted business proposals to invest in Goa. The Invest Goa 2022 summit organisers said that many more investments are expected to come into the state, particularly in the logistics, tourism, IT and startups space.
“It is for you to decide to make Goa your venture state, and when you arrive, you will find that Goa is indeed the place to do business with pleasure. All eco-friendly industries are most welcome in Goa,” said Sawant.
Sawant, along with industries minister Mauvin Godinho and IT minister Rohan Khaunte, released the Goa industrial growth and investment promotion policy, 2022, which offers a series of sops for investors. State government officials are counting on the revamped policy and the Invest Goa summit to become an inflection point in the state’s investment trajectory and industrial activity. “A lot of interest is generated after the new industrial investment policy was released,” said summit convener Manguirish Pai Raiker. “Many are calling to enquire and substantiate the various sections in the policy and are wanting to make their presence in the state. GCCI has decided to start a facilitation centre in their Panaji office and would collaborate with the prospective investors and the government agencies.”
