PANJIM: He has been closely involved in crafting corporate policy as well as leading the GCCI as President for several years. As someone who has been very aggressive in promoting the charms of the state to the rest of the country Nitin Kunkolienkar believes that the Make in Goa campaign could help change the economic landscape of the state and would dovetail with the recently launched investment policy that hopes to attract Rs 25,000 crore and generate 50,000 jobs.
Herald: How can the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) help take the Make in Goa project forward?
Nitin Kunkolienkar: Well earlier there was no well defined policy in place. The new policy has given a direction with regards the kind of industries that are welcome in the state. The IPB is a creation of the state legislature, hence there is the govt behind it all. It will help drive investment into the state and it will also help identify new concepts that can be invested in the state.
Another important aspect is that the Government of India is pushing for the Make in India very aggressively especially in sectors like defence, IT etc and departments like the ministry of commerce and industry and other departments have been given the mandate to promote it. The thrust is not only manufacture domestically but also innovate and encourage incubation in the trust areas.
Many of the government policies should generate huge demand and will benefit several sections of society.
One of the mandates in digital India is to get net imports to zero by 2020 which at present is third behind oil and gold. Goa has to take advantage of such central initiatives and we have to create the necessary implementation mechanism. We have to move from emotional to rational.
Herald: Is there a target as to the number of Goan and non Goan companies you wish to attract?
NK: We are happy to have Goan companies and the government I am sure will have all the facilities in place to encourage local companies to invest. When national companies notice local companies investing heavily in the state then they will do the same. It will be very good branding.
Herald: What was the make in India session in Delhi like?
NK: It was an outstanding experience. The lead Chairman of my group was Rana Kapoor . I spoke on what it was that was affecting electronics manufacturing in the country. There was no hype, there was a great deal of depth. The PM came in the evening and listened to all the presentations and took notes. There was no unnecessary talk.
Herald: Do you think it will be replicable in Goa?
NK: Very confident of making Goa a very decent investment friendly destination and given the quality of life here and the fact that we have the railways, the port and the airport so close it will be surely a success.
Herald: Do you think this state government understands what is required that needs to be done?
NK: We know we have to push hard and make it work and ensure that we are seen as business friendly and create substantial economic activity in the state. We have to create jobs for the present generation as well as for the future. In my personal view I believe that the present CM will be able to deliver better since Mr. Parrikar was such a charismatic leader and he had to handle multiple activities. Mr. Pariskar will have to follow the path created by Mr. Parrikar and from what one sees he is very determined to drive investments to accelerate growth and thus ensure employment.
