The COVID -19 Pandemic has brought about a sea change in the way we are currently doing business, however in the situation that is at the moment is a very challenging one indeed. It is calling for looking at different ideas of banding together to set up new permutations and combinations to make the best of the current situation in successfully running on- going businesses.

In light of this World Trade Center Goa was invited to participate and share their views at an event named "Taking Business Beyond" that was organized by Concept Biz a new grouping of young entrepreneurs from Goa who would like to be in the forefront in fitting the battle against the COVID-19 Pandemic to bring about new ideas and new thought process to promote their businesses in the land of Goa, that will ultimately extend to whole of India and the Globe.

Thus like minded Entrepreneurs joined together on 5th December 2020 at Hotel Crown Panaji for an interactive session to Brain Storm and come up with ideas to take Goan Business forward from the current situation that it currently languishes in due to COVID-19.

Opening the discussion was Mr. Reuben Quadros, Designated Partner, Boa Casa Builders, who spoke on the Real Estate sector and the challenges it is currently facing in Goa. He highlighted the efforts that were taken to accommodate and retain the labour force, but to no avail, as once the Pandemic really took its toll all labour moved out of Goa. Mr. Quadros was of the opinion that this coupled with the rising costs of inputs and the latent demand for real estate is pinching this segment in a very big way and he was looking forward to Hon'ble Governments intervention to salvage this situation.

Mr. Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director- Trade Promotion, World Trade Center Goa, gave and in-depth review of the initiatives taken by the Center to promote the different business sectors in Goa through organizing relevant Topic wise Webinars that focused on Unlocking the Economy, Digital Marketing and International Business Development that were organized along with WTC Mumbai. Mr. Desouza also highlighted the Global Network of 330 WTCs present in close to 100 countries that would be a good source of tapping international business for entrepreneurs in Goa.

Taking the discussion forward was Mr. Gautam Kharangate, the General Manager of the Jay Bhuvan Group spoke on the possibility of making Goa an Education Hub, by taking forward partnerships with the international universities who could offer their services from Goa. He also spoke on the possibilities of this sector making a huge impact on the Economic activities of Goa.

Mr. Amol Shirodkar, Director, Amrova Power Company Pvt. Ltd. gave a brief idea on the current scenario that his sector is facing and suggested some measures that entrepreneurs could consider to consolidate their business going forward. He spoke on the need to look for business opportunities beyond the borders of Goa and suggested the need to forge alliances and partnerships with other business organization throughout India. Mr. Shirodkar also suggested that the network of the World Trade Centers have to be seriously considered to taking Goan Business to the International arena.

During the interactive session all the participants gave their views on the sectors that they are representing and from this discussion it emerged that Sectors like Pharma, Health and Wellness, Electrical, Electronics, Personal Security, Housekeeping services, Logistics & Warehousing and Laundry services were thriving and there was a big need to brain storm more and get more support for those sectors that were currently lagging behind.

Mr. Brendan Fernandes, Proprietor , Chisel Wood Industries, while proposing the Vote of Thanks agreed that concerted efforts by all the sectors to join hands and work together and support each other would be very important to take Goan Business forward and beyond. He hoped that more such interactive sessions would be organized to enable set up a road map for the success of Goan Business.

Seen in the Picture: (Seated L-R) Mr. Reuben Quadros, Designated Partner, Boa Casa Builders, Mr. Brendan Fernandes, Proprietor , Chisel Wood Interiors, Mr. Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director- Trade Promotion, World Trade Center Goa