TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
VIKANT SAHAY
HERALD: It is almost a year since you took over as President of Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry. How will you define this term while heading the GCCI?
MANOJ CACULO: Being elected unopposed to head this prestigious GCCI was indeed an honour and came with a lot of expectations and responsibilities. I would like to start with complementing the elected managing committee members and the GCCI secretariat headed by Director General, R S Kamat. Interacting with various members has been truly enriching. Also I have received very positive response in the numerous meetings, interactions, deliberations held with government machinery be it bureaucracy or ministers. Overall I would say it has been a very satisfying year but for the situation created by COVID-19 in the last few months.
HERALD: What were those changes which you wanted to bring about?
MC: Being the GCCI president I have the privilege of being a member of the Board of Goa Industrial Development Corporation, Town and Country planning (TCP), Goa Investment Promotion Board, besides various other committees. This gives me an opportunity to put forth the views of trade and industry directly to the decision making authorities. Here I would like to complement our Industries Minister who has supported the cause of the industry whole heartedly and taken our views very positively in functioning of Goa IDC. Whether it is amending the transfer and sub-lease guidelines or keeping a check on expenses or plots allotments, our views are upheld and respected.
HERALD: What are immediate steps required to kick-start the economy?
MC: This Tsunami of COVID-19 has engulfed the Goan economy completely thus putting brakes on all sectors be it manufacturing, tourism, retail or services. Although the manufacturing sector has commenced operations, there are numerous problems on the supply chain due to the lockdown in patches all across the country. Raw materials cannot reach the industry and finished products cannot reach their destinations. Unless the whole country opens up, this disturbance is bound to continue. Also, the social distancing norms cause efficiency issues and increases cost of production.
HERALD: Tourism sector has been opened but will it bear fruits?
MC: The biggest hit is going to be to the tourism sector which continues to be under shutdown even till today. Since sentiment plays a major part in this segment it is unlikely to have a revival soon as people will be vary of travel or dining out. Also the conferences, weddings and meetings will get differed thus hurting the Goan tourism economy adversely. We cannot wait perennially to start the wheels of our economy, as if we do not die of COVID-19, we will die of hunger. So by keeping all the checks and measures in place, it is time to start normal work activity across sections of the economy. The government plays a very important role in this and should speedily decide on various representations made over last few weeks which will help revive the economy faster.
HERALD: Given the circumstances will reopening of mining help?
MC: Mining has been the mainstay of the Goan economy for decades. In the present state that our economy is in there is no better alternative than to restart mining immediately. Besides the directly involved mining dependents like truck, barge, machinery owners the ancillary businesses in the mining belt will restart thus giving a boost to the economy directly in these areas and indirectly across the State. The rolling of mining wheels will have its ripple effect on general trading and commerce across the State. Also, most importantly it will garner revenues to the State govt.
HERALD: In adversity lies opportunity. What is your take on that?
MC: I am a firm believer of the fact that with every problem comes an opportunity. The current business environment is very turbulent and likely to stay the same way for the next few months. During these difficult times it is best that every entrepreneur works on honing his skills, improving efficiency, controlling the unnecessary expenses and keep mentally healthy. Entrepreneurs need to be reminded that bad times do not last forever.
HERALD: Migrant labour has left Goa and we do not know when they will return? How are we going to solve this problem?
MC: I reiterate that the migration of labour will harm the Goan economy in a big way. The migration of some who had no means of livelihood is understandable but the mass exodus is something which is beyond reasoning. There were labourers who had jobs or works on hand with continued income and accommodation who have also joined the bandwagon of free travel. What logic is this? How can a labourer with Goan Aadhaar card be a migrant? I think this issue of migration of labour could have been better handled and disturbance to the functioning of the industry could have been avoided.
HERALD: So as a GCCI President what are you goals for the final year of your term?
MC: Although I have lot of planned events, activities and actions, it is best that we take things as they come since working towards revival of the Goan economy takes precedence over everything else under the current environment.
