Goa was one of the few states to capitalize on tourism for growth. However, realization has now crept in that tourism alone is not enough to sustain growth. This led to an exploration of fresh avenues. At the end of the day, information technology topped the agenda.

Given the rapid strides made by neighboring states in the field of information technology, Goa got left behind despite a number of factors to its advantage. These included one of the best telecom networks in the country, a well laid fiber optic cable network connecting the entire state and an English speaking populace well versed in the hospitality industry. From a modest figure of Rs 15 crore in the year 1998-99, software export revenues from Goa have increased triple-fold. But this has been little cause for celebration. Barring the better-known companies such as D-Link and Zenith Computers, there have been few big names here.

Goa’s minister for information technology Ramakant Khalap agrees that information technology is still at a nascent stage here. "We intend to begin from a clean slate,’’ says Khalap. Ambitious plans are in the pipeline to catapult Goa to the forefront of the IT industry. The minister has a lot on his plate with the recently announced IT policy for the state.

"Goa has an ideal advantage to make the state an attractive destination for attracting software and hardware companies and even promoting IT,’’ he says. The infotech policy for Goa is aimed at helping the overall growth of the economy through use of information technology. The objective is to be fully e-governed, information-rich state with real-time access to information and industrial infrastructure,’’ asserts SR Shet, managing director, Electronic Corporation of Goa and director, IT department. The USP, for Goa, would essentially be top-of-the-line infotainment industry, which would attract business even from the neighboring states.

The IT policy lays special focus on use of IT in the government, education, industry, health, entertainment and leisure industry, and social equity.

‘Catch em’ Young’ is the new mantra at Goa. Beginning this year, IT education has been made compulsory at secondary and higher secondary levels. The aim is to create suitable infrastructure to meet the needs of the IT industry. A special IT and infotech stream is in the pipeline. The government has entered into an agreement with the University of Allahabad to establish an IIIT at the Goa University. Admissions are expected to begin this academic session in June.

The second area that the government is taking a keen look at is ‘e-governance’. It has sought assistance from the Andhra Pradesh Technical Services to computerize the 80 odd state departments in a span of two years. Special stress is also being laid on networking the state through fiber optic cable, to provide information and services to citizens by establishing kiosks throughout the state so that a real-time application can be made from interior parts of Goa and yet prompt online response from officials can be expected. 10% of the budget has been allocated to achieve the objective.

Special emphasis has been laid on networking the state through fibre-optic cable to provide information and services to the  citizens.

The government is going all out to ensure that the industries invest in the state. Some of the measures include relaxation of zonal regulations to permit IT-enabled commercial services in industrial and commercial zones, residential and mofussil areas. An ambitious concession from stamp duty is being formalized to attract investors. An additional incentive to operate IT services such as call centers, is being amended in the local labor act and laws. "Power connection will be released on priority to IT software and IT enabled services,’’ says Shet. An additional sop for the entrepreneurs is the special VC Capital Fund created with a corpus of Rs 25 crore.

As of now, the Verna Electronic Estate has around four software units that are fully functional. Burbrown Ltd is a Rs 12-crore medical transcription company; Control Net is a US subsidiary while Zenith manufactures monitors here. A hi-tech habitat is in the pipeline on a 70-acre plot at Bambolim, Dona Paula. The ambitious project to be located in the environs of the Goa University is estimated at Rs 200 crore.

The second major project includes the Cyber City. Planned within the special economic zone near the proposed international airport site, the 1000-acre Cyber City would house a world-class convention center, hospitality and entertainment, IT-enabled services and processing studios for attracting international conventions. The idea is to create a high-spending tourist profile for Goa as opposed to being a haven for back-packers. Planned at the Mandrem-Morgim area, the city would be linked through MRTS to the international airport at Mopa for easy connectivity. Discussions are currently in progress with the Konkan Railway authorities for this purpose. "We have invited private participation for this ambitious project which would cost around Rs 100 crore,’’ says Khalap.

Khalap believes that Goa not only has the right ambience and offers a wonderful work environment but also gives a great holiday feeling. ‘Mix business with pleasure’ is the underlying message. And hence the focus on infotainment.

‘We will make Goa intelligent’
Ramakant Khalap, state minister for information technology

Nanda Kasabe Cyber News Service, Pune