Goa makes bid to attract investment

Panaji, June 22 (IANS) Goa's leading trade body and the government are hosting a one-day meet this month seeking investment in sectors like IT, entertainment, pharmaceuticals, tourism and education.

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) president Manguirish Pai Raikar told reporters Friday that the "Goa Investment Forum 2012" was co-hosted by the Chamber, the Goa government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

"After consultation with the state government, we have chosen these five key segments in which we are seeking investment. They are all in the range of small to medium, non-polluting industry and suits the educated workforce which Goa's academic and educational institutions are churning out," Raikar said.

According to him, nearly 55 participants have confirmed their presence. Among them are entrepreneurs from Britain, Morocco and Australia.

Calling the last seven years as a period of drought as far as investment opportunities in Goa were concerned, Raikar said: "The lack of interest in Goa could partially be due to the policy and decision making paralysis that plagued the last few years of the previous political dispensation."