Ajit John
As the new Managing Committee at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry takes charge there are several challenges it will face as it tries to help the government turn the economy around. The economy has been blighted by the ban placed on mining and the rather poor inflow of foreign tourists into the state during the course of the last season. Herald spoke to members of the Managing Committee to understand what they would be focussing on during the course of their tenure.
Non-availability of land is a challenge
My main concentration will be towards encouraging youth entrepreneurship. Setting up a small unit is a big challenge for today’s youth in Goa. One has to face lot of difficulties. Bigger challenge being non-availability of land. Also there is a disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower in Goa, skill development, innovative thinking and effective way of using technology has to be mastered by Goan youth. We as a body will have to work together with the government to see that the industry and state benefit and improves economically.
— Vikram Verlekar, MD, Ulhas Jewellers Pvt Ltd
High cost of land deterrent to progress
Goa suffers from density utilisation thereby limiting the retail potential in the State. Online retail and e-commerce has made it that much more competitive to the regular brick and mortar players creating an unequal playing field. Non-regulated public exhibitions are another bane. Certain retail businesses in health and wellness are suffering due to unethical and immoral practices by a few bad apples in the trade thereby giving the professions a bad name. This is also compounded by unclear rules and ambiguity in govt regulations. High cost of real estate in our State is another deterrent to progress. So also is the fact that there is no concessional stamp duty rates for this sector and the recent increases by nearly 30 % in electrical tariff and hikes in service tax affecting rentals is a huge dampener. However, retail is estimated to be on a high growth trajectory, in spite of these de limiting factors. It is because consumer aspirations are growing and convenience is becoming a buzzword in today’s hectic lifestyles. Grocery is expected to show higher growth than hard-line goods. The premium lifestyle segment will broaden its customer base though growth in pure numbers may not be highly encouraging. The Goa government would need to rethink its IR/HR policies for this sector to avoid undue harassment that it faces from the labour ministries. Flexible timings for lady employees, a proper and safe public transport system for late shifts and encouraging joint promotions for shopping festivals in the State should be undertaken. The State should also consider the VAT rebate system at exit points for tourists shopping in the State, as is being done in some European countries. This encourages manufacture and sale of local goods in the State.
Finally, considering the immense growth potential of this sector, Goa should wake up to this fact and promote itself not only as a tourist destination for leisure but also for cost efficient shopping.
— Kirit Maganlal, Board Member
Need effective IT policy
The Goa government has launched the draft IT policy. We are hoping that the final one with the industry inputs will be released and notified in this year. Additionally the rules for the same needs to be drafted so the policy to become truly effective. The IT Park at Kadamba plateau and the EDM at Tuem needs to be operationalized and we need to invite the right industry players to invest in Goa. This year will be the key to putting the building blocks in place. If we can do it, we will be better placed next year to create a buzz about IT in Goa.
— Girish Bharne, chairman of GCCI-IT committee
Mining must for
economic growth
As the VP of the GCCI we will be pushing the government to incorporate the suggestions we made about the IT policy. It is very important for us because we need to bring in medium sized units. The response to certain proposals from the general public has not been very good and that has to be avoided. As the VP GCCI I am very concerned about all these developments. My fear is that if mining does not start soon then the economy will not improve and migration will increase of our young men.
— Sandip Bhandare VP GCCI and VP (Taxation)
Need to change rules
My aim this year with the GCCI is to ensure that some of the rules are changed. We have to apply for licences every year which adds pressure on the bureaucracy. The Central government issues licenses for five years which makes sense. I am going to make the GCCI push the State government to do something similar here in the state. Another thing as part of the GCCI will be to encourage entrepreneurship amongst the youth and push the financial institutions in the state to give a subsidised rate of interest to ensure that this dream of the youth will come true.
— Ralph D Souza – Tourism
Want logistics hub
I am going to push the government to establish that Logistics hub. The GCCI will push the government this year. It is very important because it will help industry. Nothing else is as important as that for me.
— Chandrakant Gawas. Chairman Logistics
Need to address debt issue of barge owners
As a first time member of the committee I will push the GCCI to ensure that the debt issue of the barge owners are sorted out and mining commences. Mining commences the economy will benefit. — Atul Jadhav
