Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a strategic move to accelerate entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in Goa, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant chaired the 404th Board Meeting of EDC Limited at EDC House, Panaji, on Wednesday. The meeting resulted in several key decisions designed to support local businesses, improve access to finance, and strengthen the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Among the major announcements, the Chief Minister approved new loan proposals for Goan enterprises, taking the total loan sanctions for the current financial year to approximately ₹40 crore. He also gave in-principle approval to the upcoming *Mukhyamantri Rozgar Yojana*, a state initiative aimed at promoting self-employment and job creation among Goans.
EDC Limited reported a strong financial performance for FY 2024–25, with revenue of ₹111.47 crore and profit of ₹81.27 crore. The institution continues to maintain a healthy financial position, with Gross NPA below 0.25% and a net worth of ₹840 crore.
To further promote entrepreneurship from the grassroots level, Dr. Sawant approved a partnership between EDC and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) to train faculty members from government colleges and higher secondary schools in entrepreneurship education. This step aims to embed entrepreneurial thinking in the academic system and equip students with practical business skills.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the impactful work being done by the Goa Chapter of EDII in fostering a startup-friendly environment in the state. He directed EDC to develop new loan schemes tailored to the specific needs of Goan businesses and to streamline existing financial schemes to ensure they are more accessible and user-friendly for first-time entrepreneurs.
Dr. Sawant reiterated the government’s commitment to building a robust, inclusive, and self-reliant economy. “We are committed to creating an environment where Goans become job creators, not just job seekers,” he said, highlighting the role of EDC as a key enabler in the state’s economic development strategy.
