The government is working to get Geographical Indication (GI) tags for more Goan products which will help Goan entrepreneurs involved in traditional businesses such as manufacturing ‘Feni’ and ‘Khaje’ as well as farmers such as those producing ‘Khola Chilli’ to have intellectual property rights of their products. It will also enhance the visibility, and guarantee the authenticity of Goan products in the international markets, thus opening export avenues for these items. Altogether, it will boost food processing industries in Goa stated Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant after inaugurating ‘Vanijya Utsav’ at International Centre Goa, Dona Paula today.
The ‘Vanijya Utsav’ is organized by The Department of Commerce, Government of India and State Industries Department in collaboration with the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council to focus on some of the leading exporters from the State as well as provide a platform for industrialists in the State to interact with various export-related Government agencies such as Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Customs, and Directorate General of Foreign Trade as part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, a celebration to commemorate 75 years of Independence.
Speaking further Chief Minister said a goal, to enhance Goa’s export potential by finding new opportunities and entering new markets is being set. As we are the smallest State in India, we face unique development challenges due to our small population and limited natural resources like the availability of land, he said and urged to work hand in hand to make Goa an export hub, a model export State for the rest of the country. Over the next few days, we will have workshops, debates, and discussions on how together we can pave a path to reach this goal, he added.
Chief Minister highlighted the potential of the State reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the export environment to attract more new investments. Goa has a strong presence in the fishing, agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals sectors. We have also emerged as a manufacturing base for several leading companies in areas such as tires and tubes, cement, electrical machinery, automatic washing machines, printed circuit boards. Cashew processing has also been a traditional industry in the State. The pharmaceutical industry in Goa produces 12% of the total medicines manufactured in India, and about 70% of their produce is exported to the most developed countries in the world the Chief Minister added.
Dr. Sawant further said Goa has intensive industry-academia connect with the presence of premier institutes like IIT, NIT, BITS, GIM, pharmacy colleges, engineering colleges that provide access to readily available talent for the ecosystem. Goa is also well connected by sea and air. The government is working to provide more hand-holding in terms of Design, Product Development, Prototype Development, Skill Training through institutional strengthening. The Goa State Innovation Council undertakes various initiatives to drive the innovation agenda in the State, he said.
To improve Goa’s position on Niti Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), our State Government has asked 16 Departments to constitute SDG cells to work towards the goal. You will be happy to know Goa has moved from 7thposition in the SDG India index from 2019 to 3rd place in 2020 the Chief Minister informed.
Chief Minister emphasized that the Government is working hard to improve our logistics infrastructure informed us that the Construction of Mopa greenfield airport is in full swing and will be completed by August 2022. Completion of the Zuari bridge connecting North and South Goa which will be inaugurated in few months will further enhance connectivity in the State.
Chief Minister said that the State is coming up with common processing clusters under the SFURTI scheme for Paddy, Vegetables, Fruit, FOOD processing, coir, chilly, and jaggery.
Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India Shri Shripad Naik while speaking on the occasion said that Goa has tremendous potential for exports due to the availability of a combination of port, rail, road, and airport for efficient logistics, plentiful water resources along with an excellent lifestyle and availability of social infrastructure. Goa is an established base for the pharmaceuticals industry and is an emerging destination for knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology and IT, he added.
Industries Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane said Government is continuously engaged in strengthening Indian industry through “ease of doing business” for improving the business environment and attracting foreign investments. He said training, orientation, skilling is very important to create skilled manpower to achieve the desired result under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa. We must concentrate on skilled manpower to self-sustain and to be self-reliant. The Government has started skill development courses in association with various industries, he pointed. Industries want to come to Goa. Goa is an established base for the pharmaceuticals industry and is an emerging destination for knowledge, he added.
Shri J. Ashok Kumar, IAS, Export Commissioner, Goa, and Shri Amitabh Kumar, IRS, Joint Secretary Department of Commerce, Government of India also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier Shri Manoj Patodia Chairman TEXPROCIL welcomed while Ms. Swetika Sachan, IAS, Director, Industries, Trade, and Commerce later proposed a vote of thanks