From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 23: Amidst the fears raised by state’s industrial body of Goa losing the confidence of investors, Chief Minister Digamber Kamat said that state’s investment scenario is much better.
“Even today Goa is the most sought after destination for investment. People want to invest in Goa,” Kamat said during a function at Verna industrial estate near here.
The chief minister was addressing the gathering after launching BSNL’s WiMax facility at this industrial estate this morning.
Kamat said that the facilities, good environment and efforts by state run industrial development corporation to address the grievances of the business class has anointed the process of attracting investment.
Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), state’s premier business body, in their recent statement had said that state government should work on regaining the confidence of investors, which is lost due to agitations against various projects.
The state had recently scrapped all the SEZ projects while opposition for many industrialist projects is gaining ground in the state, which is conscious about its environment and resources.
Kamat said that he himself had thought that Goa may not win India today’s award for the best state in investment after SEZs were scrapped.
“I spoke to economists during the award function informally and have realized that Goa is still a sought after state for investments,” the chief minister added.
Goa also won the award for best state in health and macro economics sector.
“I was going through the issue of India today. I realized that in the western region, they (magazine) have rated Goa as the best state even beating Gujarat and Maharashtra,” he said.
“This is a clear indication that Goa is definitely marching ahead inspite of lot of drawbacks. Probably, if these drawbacks were not there we would have been much ahead,” Kamat said without elaborating on the `drawbacks.’
Kamat, who is also holding industries portfolio in the cabinet, said that Industrial growth is extremely important for the state’s economy to prosper. “That’s why my government always considers the views expressed by industrialists,” he quipped.