Goa:

Investment Opportunities
Goa is endowed with important natural resources like fertile agricultural land, suitable for
cultivation of several food crops, cash crops and garden crops. It is considered as a global
business destination by attracting investments from both local and outside entrepreneurs,
multinational companies and international agencies, including non-resident Indians. Wide range
of forests, navigable rivers, long coastline rich in marine wealth and a natural harbour as well as
beautiful and clean beaches attract a large number of tourists from both within the country and
abroad. Thus, there is tremendous scope for promoting tourism sector in the State.

Agriculture

The major food crops in the State are rice, paddy, maize, jawar, bajra and ragi. While, main cash
crops are coconut, cashewnut, arecanut, sugarcane and fruits like pineapple, mango and banana.
Out of the total geographical area of 3702 sq km, the State has a rich forest cover of about
1424.46 sq km. Of this, 1224.46 sq km has been classified as Government forest (of which about
62% has been brought under Protected areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks)
and the rest as private forests.

Industries

The State has 5,765 small-scale industrial units and around 16 industrial estates, being
established by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation. Small Industries Service Institute,
Margao, Goa is involved in extending techno-managerial and economic consultancy services for
the development of small scale industries. Because of large mineral products like ferro-
manganese, bauxite, manganese and iron ore, there exists immense potential for developing
mineral-based industry in the State. Such mineral resources makes substantial contribution to the
economy of the State through exports. The State Government has been providing incentives for
setting up of new environment friendly and viable industrial units in the backward talukas of
Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari, Ponda, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona. Efforts are also being made
for setting up of high value added industries having high employment potential.

Information Technology (IT) and ITES industry is very well suited to Goa owing to the
industry's non-polluting nature and the fact that it makes only conservative demands on precious
resources such as land, electricity and water, etc. Goa is well placed to move towards being a
knowledge economy. The Government of Goa has recognised that information technology is the
key to enhancing the welfare of the citizens of Goa as it can create employment opportunities for
an increasing proportion of the population in variety of diverse sectors.
Fisheries

Fishing is another traditional and important economic activity of the State. Goa, being located on
the west coast of India, has a coastline extending over 100 kms and inland waterways of another
250 kms, rich in marine wealth. Prawns, the valuable foreign exchange earner, mackerels,
sardines, etc. are available in plenty in Goa coast. Many small scale units based on fisheries
resources like salt curing of mackerels, fish meat, fish oils, dehydration of fishes etc. are being
set up under the State. The fishing activity has also given a big boost to canning, freezing and
other fish processing units in the State. A couple of fish oil extraction as well as fish meal
manufacturing units can also be set up in the State by utilising the rich fisheries resources.

Tourism

Goa has emerged as an important tourism destination in the country, both for domestic and
foreign tourists. It is endowed with natural scenic beauty, golden and silvery sands, beaches,
springs, lakes and waterfalls. It is also famous for its manmade monuments, forts, churches,
temples and wild life sanctuaries. A blend of the eastern and western culture as well as very
friendly and hospitable people make Goa a veritable tourist paradise. Since tourism is a major
economic activity of Goa, it has made substantial contribution to the economic development of
the State in terms of employment generation and valuable foreign exchange earnings to the
nation.

Important tourist centres are:- Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal, Anjuna and Miramar
beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches at Old Goa; Kavlem, Mardol,
Mangueshi, Bandora temples; Aguada, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de Rama Forts; Dudhsagar
and Harvalem Waterfalls and Mayem Lake Resort. The State has rich wildlife sanctuaries, like
Bondla, Cotigao, Molem and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354 sq
km.

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