Panaji: With 70% of industrial units in Goa now registered on the Goa Industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) OPEN platform, the corporation is intensifying efforts to bring the remaining 30% on board, said GIDC chairman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday.
He said full digitisation is necessary to enhance the ease of doing business and foster a transparent industrial ecosystem.
“About 1,600 units have joined the OPEN platform so far. Eventually, all units will have to go online,” Lourenco said, while addressing the annual general meeting of the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA).
He acknowledged some reluctance among industries to go digital, citing concerns over data sharing. “Some industries are hesitant to disclose information, but GIDC is firm
on this initiative. Offline access to our services will be phased out—everything will be offered digitally,” he said.
The OPEN platform allows industries to access GIDC services such as plot availability, allocation, construction permissions, rent payments, and more. It also collects data on key metrics like production, capacity, employment, and investment.
While GIDC has not set a fixed deadline for full adoption, Lourenco stressed the corporation’s commitment to the portal’s successful implementation.
Addressing infrastructural improvements in Goa’s industrial estates, Lourenco said that issues like potholed roads, poor water supply, and power shortages have been significantly addressed. “Nearly Rs 300 crore worth of infrastructure work has been completed, including white-topped roads in Pilerne Industrial Estate,” he said.
In recent years, GIDC has made strides in improving street lighting, managing waste, and planning support facilities such as hostels for working women. The corporation spent Rs 91.4 crore on infrastructure in 2023-24, Rs 219.4 crore in 2024–25, and has proposed Rs 49 crore for 2025–26. Additionally, 24 new projects have been approved for the upcoming year.
Lourenco also highlighted the strong response to GIDC’s initiative for women entrepreneurs, with 134 applications received for 20 plots reserved across seven industrial estates.
During the function, GSIA announced Pradip D’Costa as its new president.
