Seven projects offering 1,500+ jobs get Goa IPB approval

Panaji: The Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) has approved seven projects that will see an investment of Rs 180 crore come into the state and create 1,508 jobs. The cleared projects include a gurukul, a cricket academy, and three manufacturing units.

The largest investment comes from two Salcete-based projects. Ramesh Hotels and Resorts will expand its luxury hospitality facility at Majorda by adding 60 rooms. The Rs 65-crore expansion is expected to generate 300 jobs.

“There was a meeting last week with industry associations, and the issue of pharma companies recruiting from outside the state was discussed. This same point was brought up during the IPB meeting where the CM said that cleared projects and local industries must try and ensure that employment is given to locals,” said an official.

A Rs 65-crore project by Venture Building Dreams at Loutolim proposes a cricket academy and sports complex.

This facility alone is estimated to create 950 employment opportunities, the highest among the approved proposals.

In the industrial sector, three manufacturing units have received the green light. Kemplast Systems will invest Rs 25 crore to set up a plant for biodegradable and compostable carry bags at the Pissurlem Industrial Estate. The project is expected to create 63 jobs.

Standard Epoxy Materials will also operate out of Pissurlem, setting up a Rs 13.6 crore unit to produce epoxy and adhesives. It will employ 90 people. Another Rs 5 crore investment from Sakshi Equipments & Spares at Kundaim will focus on hose pipes, couplings, fittings, nozzles, and gaskets, generating 35 jobs.

In the education and cultural sector, Siddhagiri Gurukul Trust has been granted permission on land at Latambarcem, Bicholim, for a Rs 5.5-crore gurukul that will house libraries, a museum on Sanatan Dharma, an archive, and a children’s games park. The trust expects to employ 58 people.

A Rs 1 crore multi-sports arena dedicated to futsal has also been approved at Camurlim. The project, by Flick and Fire Multi-Sports Arena, is expected to provide employment to 12 people.

The seven projects were cleared during the hour-long meeting chaired by chief minister Pramod Sawant at the Mantralaya.

“The issue of land scarcity and the need for more industrial land to be made available was also discussed. The board discussed ways to free more industrial land for IPB projects. IPB is evolving into a forum to discuss larger aspects of Goa’s economic development,” said the official.