In order to diversify its economic landscape beyond tourism, Goa is now aiming to tap into India’s burgeoning logistics and warehousing demand. At the recently held Goa Investor Summit 2024 in Panaji on January 29, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Industry Minister Mauvin Godinho advocated for increased investments in industrial activities within the state.
Addressing the summit, Sawant highlighted Goa’s potential to benefit from the robust growth in the Indian economy, emphasizing the state’s status as a success story and a preferred destination for global investors. The event witnessed the unveiling of a new state government portal for instant compliance approval and the launch of the Goa Investment Development Corporation Regulations 2023 Manual and the Goa Investment Promotion Board website.
Goa’s focus on industrial growth is underscored by its ambition to establish itself as a logistics and warehousing hub. Despite its tourism-centric image, the state introduced a dedicated policy for the sector last year. The momentum gained traction at the summit when TVS Industrial and Logistics Parks announced a memorandum of understanding with the Goa government to establish operations in the upcoming logistics park.
Godinho hinted at additional developments in the coming years, marking a renewed effort to attract investments. The government aims to streamline processes, as demonstrated by measures to simplify industrial land acquisition, including the transparent e-auction process.
While tourism has been a significant contributor to the state’s economy, Goa has been a stronghold for pharmaceutical manufacturing, constituting 10% of India’s pharma exports. Over 90% of pharma production in the state is export-oriented, contributing more than 50% to its Net State Domestic Product (NSDP).
While maintaining focus on the pharmaceutical sector, Godinho revealed the government’s interest in diversifying into logistics, warehousing, food processing, and medical device manufacturing. Plans for a food park near Mopa Airport are underway, designed to involve players across the entire supply chain.
The government is actively engaging with prominent players in the logistics and warehousing sector, envisioning Goa as the biggest logistics hub in the region over the next decade. Job creation remains a top priority, addressing the state’s unemployment rate of 9.7%, surpassing the national average of 3.2%.
The strategic shift towards industrial growth and the simplification of industry regulations signal a new era for Goa’s economy, emphasizing resilience and adaptability beyond its traditional tourism-centric focus.
