Karnataka   

‘Goa must reconsider decision on scrapping SEZs’

PANAJI: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has suggested that the Goa Government should reconsider its decision of scrapping of the special economic zones (SEZs) and advocated that at least three SEZs in biotechnology and nanotechnology, food processing and solar energy be formed.

Assocham president Venugopal N. Dhoot, who was in Goa on Friday, said that the aim was to help Goa attract additional investments of Rs. 50,000 crore and generate jobs for its 20,000 youth in the next three years.

Mr. Dhoot said that the SEZs in biotechnology and nanotechnology, food processing and solar energy would not need more land, and they would catapult Goa’s economic transformation to help provide its youth employment and attract huge investments.

According to a press release issued here on Friday, Mr. Dhoot said that controversy on Goan SEZs had been linked to land acquisition.

On the issue of mineral exports, Mr. Dhoot said that since Goa’s economy was heavily dependent on mineral resources and as there was no steel industry in the State, it would be fair not to impose ban on mineral exports, including iron ore.

He, however, clarified that the Assocham was of the view that exports of mineral wealth should be banned in all other parts of the country except Goa.

The Assocham was also of the view that the Goa Government should come out with incentive schemes and launch tax holidays so that chains of hotels could come up.

Information technology, wine-related industries, adventure tourism, sea food processing units and coconut industries could also be other areas in which Goa could have an edge, and, therefore, the State Government should promote pockets in which the identified industries could come up, the press release said.

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