Pratima Dhond, President of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) speaks on leading the organisation and her vision for Goa
What does becoming the first woman President of GCCI mean to you personally and professionally?
It is a moment of immense pride and humility to serve as the first woman President of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its 117-year history. This milestone is not just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the resilience, talent, and hard work of every woman in Goa.
I dedicate this honour to the women entrepreneurs, professionals, and homemakers of our state who have been the backbone of our society for generations. For over a century, this institution has led Goa’s economic path, and today, we open a new chapter where gender is no longer a barrier to leadership. My journey from leading the Women’s Cooperative Bank to chairing the GCCI Women’s Wing; has shown me that when women are given a seat at the table, the entire community prospers. As I take on this responsibility, my goal is to ensure that ‘making a difference’ isn’t just a motto, but a reality for every business owner in Goa. This win belongs to all of us
How do you see GCCI’s role in supporting startups and MSMEs in Goa’s evolving business ecosystem?
GCCI plays a vital role in supporting startups and MSMEs in Goa’s evolving business ecosystem. We provide a platform for networking, mentorship, and access to resources, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and contribute to the state’s economic growth. GCCI has strong tie ups with the MSME Department, DGFT, FIEO, EEPC, Export Promotion Council and various other Central and State Govt Agencies.
We have programmes, awareness sessions and trainings throughout the year. We focus on finance with many banks and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) on board. We have a dedicated Startup Promotion Committee and have collaboration of the State Startup Promotion Cell. In November last year we had the ‘Goa Developers Summit’ which was attended by over 1400 participants and addressed by 27 renowned speakers
What key challenges are Goan entrepreneurs currently facing, and how can industry bodies help address them?
The major challenge comes from within. If you have the will there will be a way. Motivation is a key factor and this is a key challenge. There are huge avenues which need to be exploited. GCCI is working on this aspect with young Goan entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited access to finance, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory hurdles. GCCI helps address these challenges by advocating for policy reforms, providing training and mentorship programs, and facilitating access to funding and markets.
How can traditional industries and emerging startups collaborate for mutual growth?
This is my favourite area and the Chamber is in discussion with NABARD. The market access to traditional startups is a challenge. We have connects with many self help groups who prepare household goods like Goan masalas, sweets, food etc which we are trying to support.
Traditional industries and emerging startups can collaborate for mutual growth by leveraging each other’s strengths. Startups can bring innovation and agility, while traditional industries can offer expertise, resources, and market access. GCCI facilitates such collaborations through networking events and partnership initiatives.
What initiatives has GCCI taken to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development in Goa?
Our initiatives are multifold and perennial. We have sixteen verticals right from Women Empowerment, Tourism, Infrastructure, Educations, Health and Wellness. Advocacy plays a major role and we have continuous dialogues with the Government. EoDB, De-regulation, Simplifying laws, Boosting Economy, the GCCI always strives for this.
Currently we have a scheme ‘Tech Manthan’ aimed at empowering college students with AI knowledge. A tech team visits colleges and imparts knowledge. We have already covered 20 colleges. We propose to extend it to schools.
Road Safety is a major concern. We are working on a survey and provide corrective measures. Our taxation team continuously takes up matters with the finance department. The infra team is currently concentrating on solar power and also Goa’s power situation to optimise tariff costs. We have a strong presence in consumer protection where we have penetrated to Goan interiors.
GCCI has taken initiatives to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development in Goa, including: – Women’s Empowerment Programs: GCCI’s women’s wing has been promoting women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. GCCI has been organizing training programs and workshops to enhance skills in emerging technologies.
How important is women’s leadership in business, and what more can be done to promote women entrepreneurs in Goa?
Women’s leadership is crucial in business, bringing diverse perspectives and driving innovation. To promote women entrepreneurs in Goa, GCCI already has:
Mentorship Programs: Pair women entrepreneurs with experienced mentors.
Networking Opportunities: Create platforms for women to connect and collaborate.
Skill Development: Offer training programs tailored to women’s needs.
What advice would you give young founders who want to build businesses while staying rooted in Goa?
To young founders, I advise:
Stay Focused: Identify your niche and build a strong team.
Be Adaptable: Pivot when necessary, and stay agile.
Leverage Local Resources: Utilise Goa’s unique strengths, such as its tourism industry.
How can Goa attract more investment while preserving its unique cultural and environmental identity?
To attract investment while preserving Goa’s cultural and environmental identity, we need:
Sustainable Tourism: Promote eco-tourism and responsible investment
Innovation Hubs: Create innovation hubs that showcase Goa’s unique strengths
Community Engagement: Involve local communities in decision-making processes.
What role do public–private partnerships play in strengthening Goa’s startup and industrial ecosystem?
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) plays a crucial role in strengthening Goa’s startup and industrial ecosystem. GCCI aims to collaborate with government agencies, industry leaders, and academia to drive growth and innovation. The biggest advantage is Risk and Reward sharing which drives this collaboration. PPPs give access to capital, brings in system efficiency along with innovation.
GCCI looks forward to bring in environmentally sustainable projects through PPP mode. Goa’s infrastructure pipeline tops `45000 cr yet budget headroom is shrinking.
We have a robust infrastructure in place yet post construction operation and maintenance is underfunded. Roads deteriorate prematurely. We have seen community backlash where benefit sharing is opaque. We need to design a life cycle PPP framework with fund availability indexed with timelines.
What is your vision for GCCI and Goa’s business community?
My vision for GCCI and Goa’s business community is a Developed Goa@2037 or Viksit Goy@2037.
The way forward is clearly outlined in our vision document Inclusive and Sustainable Growth for Goa@2037, where we have identified Real Estate and Ecosystem Sustainability, Public Private Partnerships for Growth Life cycle, Participatory Community Engagement, Global Capability Centers on design, Creativity, Innovation and Logistics and Scaling up Hospitality, Tourism, Pharma and Entertainment.
GCCI’s guiding principles to achieve this vision will be:
a) Sustainability and Growth Strategy: Every rupee of new capacity must cut emissions, restore natural systems or build climate resilience
b) Community at the Core: Make community full involved in development
c) Digital by Default: Open data platforms for land, mobility and fiscal incentives, reduce opacity, widen access and enable AI driven governance
d) Phased and measurable delivery: Short terms confidence boosters pave the way for medium term system builds an long term future proofing. We need to foster inclusive growth, promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation. Enhance competitiveness which is lacking to some extent in Goa and support businesses in becoming globally competitive; and most importantly, preserve Goa’s identity
