Panaji : Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said there is a need to inculcate an entrepreneurial mindset at the college level to achieve Goa’s ‘Swayampurna’ objective.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary of Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Ltd and the first anniversary of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) Goa Centre, Sawant said that structured training programmes for youth and women are key to shaping the state’s entrepreneurial future.
“All types of entrepreneurs need to be prepared at the college level; only then can we achieve the Swayampurna goal,” Sawant said. He credited EDII, Ahmedabad, and EDC for providing essential training and noted that the right training, financial support and industry collaborations would help build an innovation-driven Goa. Speaking about EDC’s role in financial assistance to entrepreneurs, he said that under the Chief Minister’s Rojgar Yojana, Rs 300 crore in loans was provided to 8,000 beneficiaries.
He also said that Rs 4,100 crore in long-term loans was disbursed to 13,000 entrepreneurs. The EDC has till date also financed 14,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Appreciating the functioning of EDC on the completion of 50 years, the Chief Minister said the government is celebrating golden jubilee of EDC’s unparalleled contribution to Goa’s growth and development.
“EDC is committed to building a Vikasit and Swayampurna Goa, as it continues to empower MSMEs, entrepreneurs and industries,” he said adding, “The journey of progress and transformation continues, driving Goa towards a brighter and progressive future.”
Sawant said EDC has created more than 1.5 lakh direct employment, as also more than 3 lakh indirect jobs. “Since 2001, the EDC, under the Chief Minister’s Rojgar Yojana, has sanctioned more than 8,000 loans,” he said, adding that the EDC is further promoting entrepreneurial education.
Sawant praised EDC for its contribution to Goa’s economic growth, recalling its establishment under former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar. He said that EDC operates independently, with its board and managing director empowered to make financial decisions, including property seizures, without political interference.
Speaking about EDII, Sawant said it has presence in 12 states and called for greater collaboration between EDII and the IT sector to foster a tech-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sawant said his government is committed to training young entrepreneurs and women, and that, at the next EDII anniversary, he would look forward to recognising outstanding entrepreneurs.
Addressing concerns over unimplemented Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), he said that EDII’s recent agreements have led to tangible outcomes, marking a shift from the past practices where MoUs often remained unexecuted.
