Goa : Trade and Commerce
Goa is situated on the west coast of the country with impressive socio economic indicators. The Structure of economic activities changes over time due to changes in structure of production and demand in the economy. There are lot of sectors that contributes to the trade and commerce of the state.
The GSDP at constant (2011-12) prices for the year 2015-16 (Quick Estimates) is estimated at above 37,520 crore as against 34611 crore in the year 2014-15 (Provisional- Estimates) thereby reflecting a growth of 8.41 percent as against 9.64% in 2014-15.
Trade and commerce through industries
Major trade of Goa is dependent on the industries sector. Economy of Goa is increasing at a rapid pace because of accelerated industrial development. The mission is to create sustainable employment opportunities mainly to the local people of Goa. It also includes environment friendly industrial development ensuring balanced growth of regions, a facilitative regime that explores and unleashes the energies of the private sector to create an environment in which existing and new industries can prosper.
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Government of India had enacted the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Development Act 2006 w.e.f 02/10/2016 and the industrial units were classified as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) separately based on the investment in plant and machineries.
Goa Investment Facilitation & Promotion Board (Goa-IPB)
The Government of Goa has enacted Goa Investment Promotion Act, 2014 for facilitating single window clearance for investors to invest in Goa. Pursuant to this Act, Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board, a statutory body constituted for speedy clearance of investment proposals of investment above 5 crore.
Handicrafts of Goa
The Goa Handicraft, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd (GHRSSIDC) aims at generating self employment through various schemes/training programmes, to self help groups under various schemes. Eligible women’s are provided with sewing machine, necessary tools etc. for undertaking embroidery and tailoring jobs as self employment.
Khadi & Village Industries
The Goa Khadi and Village Industries Board is a statutory organization engaged in the promotion of Village Industries and other activities under the purview of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Mumbai. The Schematic funds for the implementation of the various schemes are provided by KVIC, Mumbai.
Mining industry
The State looks after the work of mineral administration of Major and Minor Minerals which involves grant, renewal of Reconnaissance permits, Prospecting licenses and Mining leases within the ambit of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act (MMDR Act). So also Quarrying leases which are granted and renewed under the Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1985.
The Government is conducting e-auctions of the mineral ore stacks lying at the various mines/stack yards. 8 e-auctions have been conducted for 11.38 Million Tonnes of mineral ore from 17/02/2014 till 31/01/2017.
89 Renewal Orders issued of which 87 Mining Lease Deeds are executed amongst whom the adhoc production limit of 20 million tonnes is distributed. After lifting mining ban total 44 Iron ore leases and one Manganese lease started mining operation.
Recent Developments in Industries, Mines, Employment & Information Technology
Utmost thrust is given to bring environment friendly clean, green and locally sustainable industries which are ideally suited for Goa, which would bring huge investment in the State and create large job opportunities for local youth.
With minimizing regulations, Government will emphasize on ease of doing business initiative in the State of Goa and implement business reform action plan in the State to be among top 10 Indian States through an e-governance platform integrating and synergizing all Goa government departments and entities.
Goa IT Investment Policy 2015 on priority to promote local entrepreneurship, innovation and aggressively market Goa as an ideal destination for startups and mid-sized technology companies through collaborations with established Indian IT states and global brands in technological innovation and funding. In order to promote startups in IT sector, a startup promotion board will be established during this financial year.
There is new proposal to upgrade Goa’s IT infrastructure for high-speed broadband connectivity to every corner of Goa within the next two years.
Apprentice training also needs to be enhanced based on the recent amendments to the Apprenticeship Act. Apprentice training makes the youth to acquire working skills as well as requisite experience in the trade concerned. Government is supporting this scheme through financial and logistic support. The Board established for entrepreneurship training and skill development will also be tasked to formulate appropriate schemes.
Tourism sector
Goa, a paradise of scenic charm, settled beautifully amidst seas and lush greeneries, is a dream destination of millions of travelers across the globe. The glistening sands, exotic beaches, the architectural splendors of its temples, churches, old houses and rich culture has become a popular global leisure destination which attracts domestic & foreign tourists from all over the globe.
In order to promote Goa as an ideal tourist destination, several initiatives and tourism infrastructure projects were undertaken to augment the carrying capacity of the State. The State received 63.31 lakh tourists in 2016 (January to December) (Provisional) which comprised of 56.50 lakh domestic and 6.81 lakh foreign tourists, compared to 52.98 lakh tourists during the same period in the previous year.
There is a growth of 19.50 % in Tourist arrivals during 2016 as compared to year 2015. As per the data, there is an increase of 19.50 % in the tourist arrivals during 2016 as compared to the increase of 30.55 % in 2015.
Recent initiatives to promote Tourism
In order 
to protect Galjibaag & Morjim beaches as important marine turtle nesting beach and to accord highest level of protection to this marine turtle nesting sites, a dedicated management master plan has been formulated for protection, conservation and sustainable development of these two turtle nesting sites.
To promote environment tourism and to showcase rich diversity of bird in Goa the forest department has organized bird festival at Bondla Wild life century. In order to attract bird twitcher in the State, propose for the festival in the State every year has been made and this year’s festival will be organized at Kotigaon Wild life Century at Canacona.
Government will start Portable toilet facilities and permanent toilets with connected Sewage treatment plants, initially on all major North Goa beaches so as to further enhance the concept of Swacha Bharat campaign and to provide modern hygiene facilities for the tourists.
The objective of effortless travel and providing excellent experience for the tourists, five double and five single decker hop on and hop off(HOHO) bus services will be introduced by my Government initially in North Goa tourist circuit during the financial year 2017-18 through GTDC. Similarly, amphibious bus service will be commercially launched by my Government to provide the tourists wholesome experience of Goan Backwaters and to efficiently utilize Inland Waters of Goa for promotion of high end tourism.
Government intends to convert the erstwhile Fort Aguada Jail complex into a monument highlighting Goan Freedom Struggle and will have facilities for a daily Sound and Light laser Show for the tourists.
Tourism in Myem lake has been proposed. Rejuvenate Mayem Lake and construct a Theme Park around it by attracting private investments so as to promote family and hinterland tourism in the area.
The objective of promoting Heli Tourism in the State, provsion to to construct a mini helipad at the existing helipad located at Dhauji, Old Goa is provided. This will generate jobs for the local youth and promote high end tourism facilities.
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