Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa has an ideal geographic location that can be turned into an International Sea Port Hub, which besides attracting tourism will also boost trade.
This observation was made by Prabhakaran Paleri, maritime security expert and convenor of SAGAR Discourse, which was organised by FINS in association with the External Affairs Ministry.
The SAGAR Discourse entered into its second day with sessions on ocean trades and trade routes, ocean resource management and governance at sea, with Minister for Road Transport Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari attending the session.
Gadkari also spoke on the use of oceans and inland waterways for transport and trade.
Addressing a press conference the convenor said the climate change which results in the rise of sea level would force people to leave their country and flood neighbouring nations with the refugees.
Former Indian Coast Guard Chief Prabhakaran Paleri said that the rising sea level had threatened existence of few countries, which would go underwater.
Paleri will present his papers on the rising sea level and the threats to nations of refugees on day three.
He informed that Goa has a strategic location to be a international port hub, which can tap tourism and trade both aimed at local development and employment. “In fact, in my opinion the entire coast from Vengurla to Karwar has to be developed as a Special Economic zone for tourism as well as the trade propagation, he said.
