WTC Goa session on strategy for increasing Exports

Aug 02, 2018

The demographics of Goa have been quickly changing in the last few years and the winds of change seem to be blowing favorably with the Government of Goa stepping in to be an aggregator and principal facilitator for lifting the sagging exports from Goa, through effective implementation of policy and administration related measures.

With this objective in mind World Trade Centre Goa organized an interactive Session with Mr Akshay Potekar, Deputy Director, Directorate of Industry Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa, with the Theme " Goan Exports : Mapping a Way Forward" on 31st July 2018 at Panaji Goa.

The interactive session was well attended by members of the World Trade Centre Goa as well as Senior Representative of Exporting firms, Business and Industry.

Starting the deliberations Mr Potekar briefly explained the Government of Goa's role as facilitator and first mover in positively increasing the Exports from Goa. He requested the delegates to present their views and ideas which would help the Government in forming a successful Export Strategy for Goa. During the deliberations a set of unique challenges that are currently besetting Goa were discussed, principal among them were lack of skilled manpower, infrastructural paucity in electric power supply, need for an ancillary manufacturer's hub, a good sea gateway for exports, challenges as faced by small exporters in the arena of non availability of "share a container facility", mundane packing facilities, the overwhelming need for a dedicated cargo hub and promotion of Goan Exporters through international magazines, website and other platforms like Trade Exhibitions and Road Shows.

Delegates present also discussed and put forth possible solutions that could in some way meet the current challenges. It was suggested that Industry and Technical institutes could collaborate together to train industry required manpower from Goa. Solar and wind power was also discussed as possible solutions to the chronic power shortages. Similarly they called upon the Government to find out a way to facilitate the setting up of a Logistics hub that could benefit the small exporters with convenient location, packaging facilities, good warehousing facility, quality testing laboratories and quick custom clearance procedures.

Earlier, Mr Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director, Trade Promotion, World Trade Centre Goa in his welcome address highlighted the role of the World Trade Center in facilitating and promoting international trade. He also offered the Government of Goa all the help and cooperation for building and implementing an effective strategy to increase Exports from Goa.