Goa to have World Trade Centre soon

Panaji, Aug 31: In what could be a shot in the arm for Goa's employment and industrial ambitions, the state will soon host a World Trade Centre (WTC) of its own.

According to Rupa Naik, director projects WTC Goa, the small state's connectivity and attributes like progressiveness, being investor friendly and high literacy, made it an apt candidate for the project, which was formally launched by Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar last week.

"Goa is well connected through a port and airport which would be useful for logistics and shipping. Goa state is now on the brink of a big change and we would like to usher in this new phase," she said.

The WTC Goa is promoted by M Visvesvaraya Industrial Research and Development Centre, which has already successfully established the WTC Mumbai in 1970 and WTC Bhubaneswar in 2014.

"WTC Goa will promote entrepreneurship and exports through advisory services and guide new businesses to link with markets. WTC Goa will encourage exchange of information and knowledge for trade, business and investment opportunities," Naik said.

"Through knowledge services it enhances educational and training programmes, skill development, seminars, workshops and marketing platforms to equip businesses with the latest trends adopted world over," Naik added.

A statement issued by WTC here, also said that setting up of the centre would help retain a part of the young talent who travel outside the state for better job prospects.

"Goa has a large number of students graduating and who till now were forced to move out for better jobs. I am confident the WTC Goa will be an important tool to help materialise these sectors to give better prospects to our youth," Parsekar has been quoted as saying.