MANOJ CACULO is the president of Goa’s oldest trade and business organisation, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Manoj brings to the table abilities of having successfully led various socio-cultural and business organisations like Goa Automobile Dealers Association, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Panjim Gymkhana, among others. Skills that will come in handy to navigate the discourse for the revival of Goa’s economy – in these unprecedented times of fighting COVID-19. He speaks to HARSHVARDHAN BHATKULY on his one year in office and the ‘way forward’ for Goa’s industry
You will soon be completing one year as President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. What has been your experience during this first year in office?
Being elected unopposed to head the prestigious Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry was indeed an honour and came with a lot of expectations and responsibilities. I would like to start with complementing the elected Managing Committee members and the GCCI secretariat headed by Director General R.S Kamat who accepted my view point in making certain changes in the way of working and whole heartedly supported me. Be it formation of committees or re-designing of the monthly bulletin, there were constructive inputs from all concerned.
Interacting with various members has been truly enriching. I have also received very positive response in the numerous meetings, interactions, deliberations held with the government – be it bureaucracy or Ministers.
Overall, I would say it has been a very satisfying year, but for the unforeseen situation created by COVID 19 crises in the last few months.
When you took over as President, you must have had certain ideas to supplement the Government’s efforts to revive the State economy. Have you been able to take those ideas forward?
Being the GCCI President I have the privilege of being a member on the board of Goa Industrial Development Corporation, Town and Country Planning (TCP), Goa Investment Promotion & Facilitation Board, besides various other committees. This gives me an opportunity to put forth the views of trade and industry directly to the decision making authorities.
Here I would like to complement our Industries Minister Vishwajeet Rane who has supported the cause of the industry whole-heartedly and taken our views very positively in functioning of Goa IDC. Whether it is amending the transfer and sub-lease guidelines or keeping a check on expenses or plots allotments, our views are upheld and respected. Of course, there is a lot of work to be done in this sphere which I am sure will continue after the current pause due to the Pandemic.
The Covid pandemic and the nationwide lockdown has disrupted global, national and Goan economy completely. How long do you think it will take for Goa’s economy to recover? What measures do you suggest for an early recovery?
This Tsunami of COVID-19 has engulfed the Goan economy completely thus putting brakes on all sectors be it manufacturing, tourism, retail or services. It is going to be a while for things to normalise, timing for which will defer from sector to sector.
The manufacturing sector has commenced operations, but there are numerous problems on the supply chain due to the lockdown in patches all across the country. Raw materials cannot reach the industry and finished products cannot reach their destinations. Unless the whole country opens up, this imbalance is bound to continue. Also, various restrictions of employees allowed to work together will cause efficiency issues and increases cost of production..
The biggest casualty has been the tourism sector which continues to be under shutdown even till today. Since human sentiments play a major part in this segment it is unlikely to have a revival soon, as people will be wary of travel or dining out. Also the conferences, weddings and meetings that were held in Goa will get deferred, thus hurting Goa’s tourism economy adversely.
As all of us know, the Corona virus is here to stay with us for long until a medical remedy is found. Hence, we cannot wait perennially to start the wheels of our economy, because if we don’t die of the Corona virus, we will die of hunger. So by keeping all the checks and measures in place, it’s time to start normal work activity across the sections of economy. The government plays a very important role in this and should decide speedily on various representations made over the last few weeks, which will help revive the economy faster.
Do you believe that mining can help in reviving Goa’s economy?
Mining has been the mainstay of the Goan economy for decades. However, due to some unfortunate instances and episodes the judiciary halted this activity. In the present state that our economy is in, there is no better alternative than to restart mining immediately.
With the re-starting of mining activity, besides the directly involved mining dependents like truck owners, barge owners, machinery suppliers, the ancillary businesses in the mining belt will restart; thus providing a boost to the economy directly in these areas and indirectly across the state. This rolling of mining wheels will have its ripple effect on general trade and commerce across the state. And most importantly, it will bring in revenue to the state government.
Your presidency has come during the biggest global crises of recent times. What do you feel about the business environment in the days and months to come? What is your advice to Goa based industries and entrepreneurs?
I am a firm believer of the fact that with every problem comes an opportunity; and that unprecedented times call for unprecedented decisions and actions.
The current business environment is very turbulent and likely to stay the same way for the next few months. During these difficult times it is best that every entrepreneur works on honing his skills, improving efficiency, controlling the unnecessary expenses and keeping mentally healthy.
Entrepreneurs have to remind themselves that they chose to be one over being salaried. And the element of risk in business was always there. Hence, it is time to remind oneself that tough times do not last forever.
Your comments on the migration of labour were not received well by some members of the civil society. What do you feel about the issue?
I reiterate that the migration of labour will harm the Goan economy in a big way. The migration of some labour who had no means of livelihood is understandable but the mass exodus is something which is beyond reasoning. There were labourers who had jobs or works on hand with continued income and accommodation who have also joined the bandwagon of free travel. What logic is this? How can a labourer with Goan Aadhar card be a migrant?
I think this issue of migration of labour could have been better handled and disturbance to the functioning of the industry could have been avoided.
What plans do you have for the second half of your term?
Although I have lot of planned events, activities and actions, it is best that we take things as they come, since working towards revival of Goa’s economy takes precedence over everything else under the current situation and uncertainty
