Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement that the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, (SEZ Act) will be revamped to enable states to partner in industrial hubs, has aroused the curiosity of several local industrialists.
Many in Goa are eager to see the new legislation when it comes. As part of the ‘PM Gati Shakti’ master plan, Sitharaman proposed 50-year, interest-free loans of `1 lakh crore to states to help them attract investments in the financial year 2022-23. Local industrialists said that if Goa could attract some of these funds, it could help improve infrastructure and bring in private investments.
Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman, MSME National Council, ASSOCHAM, said that projects under Gati Shakti can be planned and logistics be promoted in a big way in Goa.
Meanwhile GSIA President, Damodar Kochkar said that Goa should explore to see if the new legislation covers the inclusion of the Tuem electronic manufacturing cluster and the maritime cluster. CII stated that the new act will help consolidate all the existing facilities at the state level to promote manufacturing and exports
