Global Goans Chamber of Commerce launched

Goans worldwide can now contribute to State's progress

THE GOAN NETWORK

PANAJI

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Monday promoted Global Goans Chamber of Commerce to give a platform to Goans spread across various parts of the world to come together for economic betterment of their fellow Goans and also of the State.

Speaking on the occasion, GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro said, “The Congress party has promoted the Global Goans Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) but it is across party lines because we want to give a platform to all Goans to participate in Goa’s economy”

This means that the GGCC is actually independent of the Congress party although they have promoted it. GPCC has NRI (non-resident-Indians) Global Goans Cell under it and it is this cell where the idea of GGCC germinated.

Simon D’Silva, president, GGCC said, “Goans today are migrating out of State. We feel that the State government has failed to provide job opportunities, especially in the last four years. We, therefore, have a Goan identity crisis. It is in this context that we have created this chamber to promote economic dialogue between Goans across the world.”

D’Silva is also the chairman of NRI Global Goans Cell. Praising his efforts, Faleiro said, “The cell has brought around 2,000 memberships for the party.”

D’Silva is based at Qatar and has widened the membership of NRI Global Goans Cell to such an extent that the cell now has members of Goan origin from countries like Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, UAE, US, UK, Australia and Italy.

Faleiro said, “NRIs can vote today. There are around 5 lakh NRIs of Goan origin across the world. Now, they will be able to vote for their motherland Goa. Besides, this chamber will help them in also contributing towards the economy of Goa”

Faleiro continued, “Whenever I go out of India, I notice that Goans settled in other countries have done better than citizens of even those countries, which makes me feel very happy. But, I will be happier if those Goans were to come back to Goa and do well here”

Speaking on the sidelines on medium of instruction (MoI) issue, Faleiro, said, “Grants should be given to all schools irrespective of MoI. We must promote Konkani language but not at the cost of future of our children.”