The consensus of panelists at the debate, ‘Ease of doing business in Goa’ was that the State was the worst place to do business. Panelists were unanimous that the factors
that affect business climate ranged from red tape, corruption, local agitations and unscrupulous RTI activists. The impression one got was that business is dead and everyone wants to get out as quickly as possible. On the contrary, the number
of entrepreneurs who want to open shop here is increasing. The Investment Promotion Board is clearing proposals quickly, but not without a few controversies. So is Goa really a difficult place to open a new business? Goa is as good or as bad as the rest of India, which ranks 130 out of 189 countries on ease
of doing business. India realized only when it was bankrupt
that it needed to unshackle the corporate sector. Now it is beginning
to realise that sustained growth can only be achieved
with the corporate sector as an engine. But to achieve growth
it needs to reduce red tape and reduce corruption, both difficult
tasks. While Goa set up IPB as a single window for large
industries, it needs to create a similar platform for small and
medium business. Fortunately or unfortunately, opposition to
projects cannot be wished away and entrepreneurs will have
to live with it. We are a democracy, not a dictatorship.
