PANAJI
The Industries Ministry has got a green signal from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to tweak existing laws which govern the sector said Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday while adding that he had already been sounded out by industry bosses about their interest in setting up shop in Goa.
Godinho also told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday that the State government will come up with a "clear-cut, transparent" industry policy, which will facilitate the entry of industries into the State, which would in turn curb unemployment.
"We are formulating a clearcut transparent and good industrial policy where people will feel encouraged to come to a state like Goa. As it is, people love Goa. So if we create those conditions, why will people not come? Do we not need to generate employment for young people? Do we not need to arrest the flight of educated people going to other States, going elsewhere in the world, because there's no opportunity? We have to change all that. Informally, I have discussed with the Chief Minister (industrial policy changes)," Godinho told reporters.
Godinho also said that he was being sounded out by industry bosses, who are interested in starting operations in Goa.
"Industrialists have already started to contact me. I have also been travelling. I have met various people," Godinho said, citing the example of a function organised by a Central Minister, where he happened to meet top industrialists.
"Everyone wants to come to Goa, but they want circumstances to be so created that they feel like coming. For them, putting up an industry anywhere in the country is the same. Naturally, all of them also say there is no place like Goa. We have to create the circumstances," Godinho said.
"People have already invited me. That you please come and call industrialists. Before I call them, I should know what I can give them in terms of land, policy and waivers. The only condition perhaps they are asking for is 'SC-ST should be waived'. We do not want any other concessions," he also said.
The Minister also hinted at Goa's participation in an international investor meeting to boost the state's chances of attracting investment.
"There was a suggestion even for global investors meet. I have been meeting various industrialists. I said first I will do my homework. I will lay the groundwork and then have the investment meets whether it is in Goa or Mumbai or elsewhere," he said.
