PANJIM: In a bid to promote the sunrise information technology (IT) sector, the government has proposed to make the tourism state of Goa an animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC) hub. The state has proposed 100 per cent reimbursement in stamp duty, electricity duty, central sales tax, entry tax along with 10 per cent reimbursement on salaries paid to the local employment up to 80 per cent.
The draft Information Technology-Investment Policy 2015 (a copy of which is with Herald), speaks about making Goa the most preferred destination for investors in IT, information technology enabled services (ITES) and electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), leading to inclusive growth and employment generation.
The IT Investment Policy will be unveiled on Saturday by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar during a two-day IT investor’s conference. The policy will then be kept open for suggestions from stakeholders.
“The state government is committed to the overall development of IT/ITES and ESDM industry in the state, with specialized focus on remote and under developed areas of the state. Goa is an ideal destination for IT industries owing to its inherently non-polluting nature,” the policy document, which has not spelt out the details of the working plan, reads.
“Attractive policy incentives along with the excellent air, rail, road connectivity and a highly literate English speaking population would facilitate in promoting the state’s vision,” the policy added.
The policy, with thrust on creating world-class IT infrastructure in the state, aims at making Goa an AVGC hub as its ‘rich cultural ethos and artistic traditions with a strong base in tourism and entertainment combined with robust IT are conducive’ for the same. The government also intends to promote an AVGC park, with industry enjoying all sops as offered to any other IT industry in the policy.
However, with no institutions offering AVGC course in the state, the project’s proponents will have to groom locals into skilled and technical manpower for the industry.
The state has very high standards in technical education with the presence of prestigious institutes such as BITS Goa, NIT and an upcoming IIT offering professional degrees and post-graduation programmes in the IT-related field. Goa also has 14 skill-enhancing institutes offering a variety of diploma and ITI courses to students. Over 1000 students pass out every year from various IT colleges, but lack of job opportunities have forced them to migrate to neighbouring states like Maharashtra.
Government has proposed setting up an electronic manufacturing cluster (EMC) in the village of Tuem of Pernem taluka. This site is 5 kms from the highway (NH17), around 6 kms from Pernem railway station, approximately 40 kms from Dabolim airport and Mormugao port and 13 kms from the proposed Mopa international airport.
The proposed site for IT park at Chimbel village in Tiswadi, is around 4 kms from Panjim, 9 kms from the nearest railway station and about 24 kms from Dabolim airport and Mormugao port.
All the proposals of IT/ITES/ESDM companies for investments will be evaluated by the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) headed by the chief minister.
