The Goa government is seriously considering the idea of establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state. |
The sole intention of an SEZ is to generate employment, said Luizinho Faleiro, minister for industries. He was speaking at a symposium on Special Economic Zone (SEZ) organised by Diocesan Service Centre for Social Action, in association with Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. |
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Faleiro said though the government had not yet identified a location for the SEZ. SEZ will have IT and gems and jewellery units. Biotech and garment industries are also considered for the SEZ, he said. |
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Emphasising the need for trained manpower, the industries minister said he will reactivate the manpower development cell. The cell was scrapped by the the BJP government. |
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Faleiro also said that the state was considering reintroducing the condition of employing 80 per cent Goans for all industires setting up base in the state. |
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"Any industrial unit seeking permanent registration in Goa will have to give 80 per cent of the employment to Goans. Files have been moved to add this condition," he said. |
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Development Commissioner for Industries, K J Dadoo, said that the SZE in the state would come up on a smaller acreage. |
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He said though government has considered IT, Biotech, gem and jewellery, food processing units for the proposed SEZ, more units could also be accommodated. |
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Girish Keni, chairman of investment facilitation centre of GCCI said Goa has been losing many opportunities as "industries have been moving out of the state. So it is important to have an SEZ." |
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He said SEZ is also required for employment generation. |
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Every year 7000 to 8000 graduates are added to the number of the unemployed in the state. |
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