Goa promises red carpet for US investment through 100% FDI route, says CM at bilateral event
Panaji (Goa): With a strategic location, access to seas, rail connectivity and upcoming hubs for industry and marine facilities, Goa is ready to bring export-led growth to India, according to Pramod Sawant, the state’s chief minister.
“We have the seaport and railways within 40kms of the airport, providing the right recipe to increase trade and investment and export-led growth. Good air quality, pleasant weather and constant upgrades to our infrastructure also make it a good place to live and work”, he said.
Sawant was speaking at the inauguration of the Goa chapter of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in the state on Saturday, October 17 at the Taj Vivanta in Panaji. The bilateral forum aims to promote stronger ties in trade and commerce between India and the United States.
The chief minister praised the inauguration of a Goan chapter, saying it would enhance business opportunities for the state and the nation. “The launch of an AICC chapter in Goa will give an opportunity to our businessmen and industries to work together and facilitate economic, social and cultural ties between our two countries”, he added.
At the event, Sawant painted a picture of the new avenues the state had adopted to promote trade and ease of doing business. “My government will focus on setting up education hubs for knowledge-based industries, entertainment hubs, IT campuses and startup promotion policies. We are also enabling a red carpet and single window clearance for companies who would come in using the 100% FDI route.”
He also said that he expected a lot of business to come through from IT-enabled companies, manufacturing and ancillary units. “We expect a lot of investment to come through knowledge process outsourcing, the IT industry, focusing on the consulting developing, designing and animation services. We also hope for more manufacturing tie-ups with the upcoming green-filled electronic manufacturing cluster, close to the state airport – the best electronic product and component manufacturing units and ancillary units in areas like surveillance electronics, defence, consumer electronics and toys.”
“Goa is already the tourism capital of India, and I don’t see why it can’t become one of the top five such destinations in the world. If it works on the ease of travelling, alongside the ease of doing business, it will become a hub for both hospitality and industry in the nation”, added Naushad Panjwani, Regional President of the West India Council, IACC.
Sawant joined Purnachandra Rao, National President of the IACC and Panjwani as they inaugurated the Goan chapter for IACC. The Consul Generals from the Indian Consulates for Houston, New York and Atlanta – Aseem Mahajan, Randhir Jaiswal and Dr Swati Kulkarni joined hands with them virtually for the occasion. Ashok Chowgule, the first founder and patron member of the Goa chapter was also present along with Jude Cardozo and Santosh Kenkre.
The occasion also became a backdrop for the inking of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) of cooperation between the Goan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the new IACC branch.
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