As per a survey that we have been conducting over the last 3 months, certain ideas have emerged that are pointing Goa in the direction of the future. These pointers are expressions from stakeholders who are keen that Goa’s economic opportunities could well be explored beyond its otherwise well known ‘bread-earning’ sectors – mining and tourism.
Mining has been crippled by legal skirmishes; and has since been banned by the highest court of the land, while covid-19 has severely impacted the prospects of the tourism industry. This exercise does not take away the importance of the two pillars of Goa’s economy – we are simply exploring new avenues that could buttress the financial system and fill in the void that has been created by the loss of revenue from mining and tourism.
Startups: In 2018, a big promise was made with a lot of fanfare – to turn Goa into a ‘startup hub’ of India. This promise had found favour with a lot of pink papers across the country – which believed that barring a few infrastructural glitches like electricity and broadband speed, the State was ideally suited to attract national and international talent to set up their ventures. We could have very well been the Silicon Valley of India. Sadly, our actions and promises made at events and conferences did not see a forward movement.
Logistics Hub: the new airport coming up at Mopa can be an ideal avenue for a logistics hub. Goa’s output from the pharmaceutical sector can fuel the logistics activity. Slowly, other industries can feed this source. Besides, Goa could also look at business from industrial hubs of Southern Maharashtra and North Karnataka to truly get the logistics vertical going.
Hardware Cluster: The Chief Minister, at a local industry event, spoke passionately about the technology or hardware cluster that is coming up at Tuem Industrial Estate. With the new airport located close by, and if the State can attract big names in the electronics and hardware business – and retain them and their interest in Goa, it is a no-brainer that this route can help in the economic resurrection of the State – and create jobs, as well.
Education: Although Goa has been best suited to create world class educational hubs, we have not been able to pull this off. The government could work closely with private players, who have a proven track record of running successful educational institutions – and overturn this impasse. I’m reminded of the conversation that I had with ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, who believed that an education hub would also help in tourism of the State – not only fron visiting parents and family; but also from the alumni who would return back to the State, after forging a bond with its natural beauty, beaches and hinterland.
Goa’s economic challenge is peculiar. Ours is a small State with a small population – that is sensitive about demographic, societal or environmental change. We can’t wish that away. It is important that whatever economic revival measures that the policy makers are toying with, they have to tick the above boxes – or else, we run the risk of unnecessary agitations and social strife. It is pertinent to note that big infrastructure or ecologically sensitive projects are bound to face opposition from civil society.
The above suggestions are not out of the world. Neither is this the first time that they are being talked about or shared as ideas. It is important for Goa to shake off its inertia and hubris from what was once an economy fueled by its loyal sectors.
The rules of the game have clearly changed. Just like everyone and sundry says that you have to live with Covid; we have to also live with the economic impact of the virus – and find new avenues to thrive in a challenging business climate
