Information Technology (IT) Minister Rohan Khaunte has said the government has decided to position Goa as the creative capital of the country, wherein it does not compete with other established IT States but creates a niche of its own, in a freewheeling conversation with O Heraldo.
ON NEW STRIDES BEING MADE IN IT SECTOR
Goa currently has over 400+ DPIIT registered start-ups, about 6 incubators and 15+ co-working spaces, when you see per capita, we have one of the largest numbers of start-ups and a vibrant ecosystem given spread. The global work landscape is evolving, moving from traditional office settings to remote and hybrid models. Reports and studies indicate that companies with flexible remote work policies perform better in terms of revenue growth. As technological advancements like AI play a larger role in remote work management, the trend is likely to continue. A recent survey showed that 91 per cent of respondents enjoyed remote work, with flexibility being the most significant benefit.
Notable companies, including Reddit and Airbnb, are embracing permanent remote work, and actively hiring. The world is transitioning into a new era of work, and it’s essential to embrace the change rather than resist it.
Goa is strategically positioned to attract digital nomads and remote workers with its affordability, infrastructure, and natural beauty. It has gained recognition as Asia’s next digital nomad hotspot, highlighting it an ideal destination for remote working professionals. The region is already popular among digital nomads due to its scenic beauty and cultural richness. With over 500 hotels and 9,000+ rooms, Goa has decent accommodation options. The average monthly cost of living in Goa is less than USD 900, making it more affordable than many other similar destinations in Asia. Goa's Internet speed surpasses that of many other locations.
My Department has mooted a novel concept of being an opportunities aggregator by harnessing the natural ingredients that can foster innovation and creative development. Goa, known for its thriving tourism industry, has seen a rise in start-up ventures sprouting in the State and from those who prefer making Goa a workplace due to its natural beauty, excellent infrastructure, all-round connectivity and enabling government policies.
The focus of the government has moved from building hard infrastructure to building human capital and capitalising on it. Through the G.O.A. – Global Opportunities Aggregator initiative, an inter and intra-operability platform will be developed that would enable effective remote working collaboration, protection of Intellectual Property, mentorship and a universal access card for availing facilities in Goa such as; medical facilities, transport, internet, co-living, etc. This initiative will showcase Goa’s unique geographical and historical assets while promoting and harnessing local talent.
ON THE STATUS OF START-UP CULTURE IN THE STATE
Goa would like to see itself as one of the prominent places in Asia for start-ups. It has all the right elements for start-ups and working professionals to blossom. The government is also taking necessary measures to augment the infra needs. The current policy is one of the most liberal in the country and it is not restrictive to Goans per se but ensures that Goa is benefitted through start-ups moving here. The government is today focussing on digital nomads and there is a big push towards bolstering this agenda.
We are also working with the creative communities in the State, where our larger objective of fulfilling Goa’s aspiration to be the creative capital of the country is met. For all this clear roadmap and policies will be rolled out soon. The Government of Goa has a notified Goa Startup Policy, 2021 through which schemes for starting up and staying afloat, till a certain level of maturity kicks, in are being accorded. There are over 120 applications for incentives that have been sanctioned disbursing over Rs 3.5 crore worth of grants.
Besides monetary aid, the Cell organises programmes for harnessing and improving the skills of the start-ups. Today we are reaching out to educational institutions apart from mere awareness programmes we’re bringing them closer to entrepreneurship by providing them not only with lectures but also continuous mentorship, skill development programmes and networking platforms.
ON WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND WHAT IS IN THE PIPELINE
We have established an Electronic City in Tuem, Pernem and have already allotted nine plots for setting up different industries with an assured investment of nearly Rs 180 crore and 1,000+ employment of youth. We are sure to expect about Rs 1,000+ crore investment with over 10,000+ jobs being generated.
We have amended the Goa Telecom Policy to effectuate a seamless and single-window establishment of mobile towers to ease the pain of the common man and working professionals, network issues would soon be an issue of the past.
In the immediate pipeline is the augmentation of our holding capacity to service working professionals and start-ups that see Goa as a favourable destination to work out of, for which we are establishing co-working spaces on three beaches, to begin with, and some at urban locations.
ON BUILDING GOA AS AN IT HUB
Next on the horizon is an IT Hybrid Park at Porvorim for which all the required groundwork has been undertaken and we will soon invite bids for construction and operation. Comprehending how Goa should be projected after multiple stakeholder consultations, we have decided to position Goa as the Creative Capital of the country, wherein we do not compete with other established IT States but create a niche of our own. For this purpose, we shall establish a Creative Hub where VFX, AR/VR and other allied technologies would find space and shared synergies. These measures collectively contribute to #WorkationGoa, positioning the State as an ideal hub for digital nomads, IT professionals, and Startups.