Goa gets it own World Trade Centre

Parsekar emphasised on forging close ties between the Goa government and WTC Goa.

“On this auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan we are tying a knot with the WTC Goa. The inception of the WTC will benefit entrepreneurship, traders and the business community," said CM Parsekar. He added, “Our aim is to have policies that work for industrial growth through an investor friendly approach and now with the WTC in Goa, I invite investors so as to boost the industrial sector.”

The CM expressed confidence in the vision of MVIRDC promoted WTC Goa in helping create jobs for youth in the state. “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,” said Mr. Parsekar.

Parsekar also expressed optimism for the success of Micro, Small scale and Medium scale industries to do well with the help of WTC Goa.

Earlier in the introductory remarks, Somesh Batra, the Vice Chairman of WTC Goa promoted by MVIRDC appreciated that WTC Goa is now on the global map. “Goa is a member of the World Trade Centers Association New York which is an unparalleled network of 330 WTCs across 100 countries. It offers space, research, education services, seminars, conventions, shopping complex facilities, all efforts that give an impetus to grow trade,” said Batra.

Rupa Naik, Director Projects, WTC Goa elaborated on the plans of MVIRDC and emphasised that  Goa's "progressive, investor-friendly, high-literacy attributes" helped build the ground for the WTC in the state.

“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,” Naik said.

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

She added that WTC Goa will be initiating the UNDP UN procurement programme to train businessmen in procurement.

Manguirish Pai Raikar Co-Chairman, National Council of SMEs said, there is a lot of expectation from WTC Goa as the businesses here are looking for a platform to connect.

Sidharth Kunckolieker was confident that the partnership with EDC will prove fruitful for WTC Goa. “The WTC Goa will take Goa globally and with this synergetic relationship I see a many more collaborations happening between WTC Goa and the EDC as it will help our businesses grow,” said Pai Raikar.

He added that EDC being a government institution, the Goa government’s support will help in the long run.

In his vote of thanks, Y R Warerkar, the Executive Director WTC Goa said WTC Goa invites business associations, members of trade and industry, academia to join and support its activities to make Goa truly a preferred destination for trade and industry.

“For a WTC to be effective and enhance the region’s prosperity, it has to provide services such as office spaces, business centre, incubator, exhibition centre, educational institute, well-equipped conference and meeting room facilities. In short a World Trade Centre is a miniature commercial city,” said Warerkar.

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