The State Government is planning on amending the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) Act in order to stimulate investments, propel innovations and promote economic growth, which will enhance the Ease of Doing Business
With the aim of improving the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the State Government is proposing amendments to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) Act as well as the regulations relating to industrial plots.
In order to empower businesses changes will be made in the allotment regulations and in the transfer and sub-lease rules.
According to the government, streamlining the transfer and sub-lease processes will ensure smoother changes as well as stimulate a vibrant and dynamic business ecosystem.
The reforms in the GIDC Act are expected to remove complexities and standardise procedures to improve operational efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks and reduce bureaucratic impediments. The amendment is further aimed at giving industrial status for the logistics and warehousing industry in the State.
“To enhance the ease of doing business, GIDC has undertaken the task of revising the laws governing its functioning,” said Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho.
“These amendments, when accompanied by a proper digitisation strategy,
will definitely improve the EoDB in Goa”
DAMODAR KOCHKAR
Immediate Past President, GSIA
Further, the government is eager to diminish the regulatory burden for industries and industrial units, while providing simplicity and stability in the GIDC Act and regulations.
These reforms are expected to provide a boost to investments in the State and create employment opportunities for the youth.
A day-long consultative workshop with GIDC officials and industry bodies like Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Goa, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Laghu Udyog Bharati Goa chapter and ASSOCHAM, was held in order to apprise industries in the State, of the forthcoming changes in the GIDC Act.
The workshop was attended by Mauvin Godinho, the Industries Minister; Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Chairman of GIDC; and Pravimal Abhishek, Managing Director, GIDC.
“These amendments, when accompanied by a proper digitisation strategy, will definitely improve the EoDB in Goa”
DAMODAR KOCHKAR
Immediate Past President, GSIA
Godinho assured the industry stakeholders that the government will be doing everything possible to enhance the EoDB in the State. “GIDC has undertaken the task of revising the laws governing its functioning. Our aim is to create a conducive environment that encourages investment, spurs innovation and fosters sustainable economic growth. With these reforms, Goa will be able to attract more investments and become the hub for logistics and warehouses,” said Godinho.
Speaking to industry stakeholders, Lourenco said, “We are doing everything possible to ensure EoDB so that more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities are created for Goan youth. This legal reform is one of the major steps in our endeavours,” said Chairman of GIDC.
Godinho engaged extensively with the assembled stakeholders, underscoring the key reforms that are set to redefine the industrial operations in Goa. “With these reforms, Goa will be able to attract more investments and become a hub for logistics and warehouses,” added Godinho.
Pravimal Abhishek said that the government has recognised the need for operational efficiency. Abhishek said that the revised laws will introduce simplified and standardised procedures that eliminate bottlenecks and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
The government also plans to accord industrial status for logistics and warehousing, a move that could boost the state’s ambition to become a logistics hub.
Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman, ASSOCHAM-Goa, says that the proposed amendments will be done, while keeping EoDB in mind. “We were waiting for the government to come up with the idea. The current government has initiated talks with the stakeholders and we have provided plenty of inputs to them. While all inputs will not be taken into consideration, I feel that this is just the beginning.”
With regards to making changes in the regulations relating to industrial plots Pai Raiker feels that while getting hold of a plot is easy there are other factors to be taken into consideration. “The infrastructure that goes along with the plot, like water supply, electricity, telecommunication, road network and other essential facilities, which are important for running of a business, needs to be incorporated in the reforms, by IDC while planning for setting up of new industrial estates. Even after bringing in all these reforms I feel all this is not enough. A plot is not the end; it is just a means to an end.”
Damodar Kochkar, Immediate Past President, GSIA while welcoming the need for making amendments to the Act said, “This has been our long pending demand to amend this act and regulations in order to make things more simple and transparent. These amendments, when accompanied by a proper digitisation strategy, will definitely improve the EoDB in Goa”
Meanwhile Pai Raiker says that although a lot of the processes have been streamlined, there is still a lot more to be done in this regard. “I feel that a single application should be enough to get your proposal across instead of running from pillar to post. I think this will sort out a lot of hassles for both, the concerned department and the person making the proposal.
Lastly, industry players provided feedback about the existing bottlenecks and measures that can enhance ease of doing business in Goa through policy measures and streamlining of GIDC’s operations.
