the goan I network
PANAJI
Minister for Information Technology Rohan Khaunte on Friday announced that the State government has mapped out a five-year plan to help set up at least 100 IT start-ups and develop at least two lakh sq mts of incubation space in Goa.
Khaunte was replying to a question tabled by Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo about the present status of IT hub planned to be established at Tuem and Chimbel.
Elaborating on the government's commitment to improve the employability of Goan IT professionals, Khaunte informed that the IT department plans to implement Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) for skill enrichment of youth and will work in close coordination with the educational institutes as well and bridge the gap between education and skills.
Khaunte stressed that Goans will be given priority while planning the growth of IT sector in Goa. "In Goa, 81 IT companies are registered at the moment. These employ 1,159 people. Of these, 76 per cent, or 884, are Goans," he said.
It was disclosed that the companies looking to set up base at Tuem ESDM park have already been asked to target employment for 3,000 to 4,000 Goans and around 4,000 to 5,000 at Chimbel IT park.
The Minister announced that the plan to set up the IT Park in Chimbel on PPP mode has been tweaked to focus on start-ups. "The aim is to arrest brain drain, expand the existing industry and generate employment for Goans," he said.
It was announced that the plots will begin to be allotted to existing industries for expansion at the IT Park over the next four months while the infrastructure for start-ups will also be created. "The special scheme for start-ups will be in place by December-end. We will create a start-up cell by March," he stated.
"There is a lot of space constraint. IT Park in Chimbel is being developed in an area admeasuring 2,69,890 sq mts, which is the only land available. An additional 1.79 lakh sq mts has been transferred to the department recently," Khaunte informed.
THE IT WAY
At least two lakh sq mts of incubation space to be developed in Goa
IT dept to implement Online Courses for skill enrichment of youth
To work in close coordination with educational institutes
Goans to be given priority while planning growth of IT sector in Goa
Companies at Tuem ESDM park asked to target employment for 3,000 to 4,000 Goans
Aim to expand existing industry, generate employment for Goans
Special scheme for start-ups to be in place by December; start-up cell by March
