Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has urged Goan entrepreneurs, manufacturers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand into international markets, stressing the need to strengthen the state’s export ecosystem and turn local products into globally competitive brands.
Addressing a state-level workshop on ‘Leveraging the Free Trade Agreements’, organised by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Office of the Additional Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Mumbai, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sawant said Goa must capture its rightful share of India’s expanding global trade opportunities.
He highlighted India’s growing engagement with international markets under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that trade agreements were creating opportunities for Indian businesses to access new markets and strengthen exports.
Sawant called on Goa’s industries to move beyond traditional exports and explore opportunities across a wider range of products with international market potential. He said the state had a strong base of established industries, MSMEs and entrepreneurs whose products could reach global buyers with the right support, market research, packaging and quality certifications.
Highlighting Goa’s unique cultural and agricultural assets, the Chief Minister pointed to its Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products, including Goan cashew, Feni, Mancurad mangoes and Bebinca. He said these products had the potential to command premium prices in international markets because of their distinctive identity and heritage.
However, he emphasised that market access alone would not guarantee export success. Businesses must understand the requirements of destination markets, including tariffs, rules of origin, quality standards and certifications, to benefit from trade agreements.
Sawant said the state government would work with DGFT and relevant departments to address exporters’ concerns and provide guidance to enterprises seeking to enter international markets. He also called for focused discussions on identifying promising products, destination markets, certification requirements and logistical challenges.
Stressing the importance of MSMEs, he said the size of a business should not prevent it from thinking globally. He encouraged departments and industry associations to provide handholding support to emerging entrepreneurs and ensure that the workshop’s discussions translated into concrete business opportunities.
The Chief Minister also underlined the need for district-level engagement to identify challenges faced by businesses and develop practical solutions. He urged local industries to invest in quality, technology and globally competitive products while encouraging investors and manufacturers to consider Goa for future expansion and employment generation.
In his address in Konkani, Sawant expressed happiness over the participation of young men and women in the workshop, describing their involvement as encouraging for Goa’s entrepreneurial future.
He said the state was well positioned to develop a stronger export base, supported by infrastructure such as the Mormugao Port Authority, Manohar International Airport at Mopa, highway connectivity and the state’s logistics and industrial policies.
Sawant noted that Goa’s exports had traditionally relied heavily on iron ore, but said there was considerable scope to diversify into other products that reflected the state’s identity and strengths. He added that infrastructure in neighbouring districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka could also be leveraged to support emerging Goan entrepreneurs and expand export-oriented businesses.
Referring to the work of the Vibrant Goa team, he highlighted the importance of mentoring young entrepreneurs and helping them build businesses capable of competing in international markets. He said government support would remain available to industry stakeholders and encouraged aspiring exporters to approach the Directorate of Industries for assistance.
Sawant urged the departments concerned and industry associations to continue guiding entrepreneurs and supporting the development of export-oriented enterprises as Goa works towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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