Staff Reporter
Panaji
If all goes to plan, Goans could purchase imported olive oil from Portugal that is locally packaged and distributed.
A Portuguese delegation on Monday said that they are looking for collaboration between Portugal-Goa for olive oil which has a lot of demand in the state.
The five-member delegation of the Portugal-India Business Hub (PIBHub), headed by president Altino Alvares, pointed out that a Portuguese manufacturer has expressed interest in setting up an olive oil bottling unit in Goa, with an eye on later exporting the product to other markets of India.
Alvares said that olive oil is premium produce of Portugal and the proposed enterprise will allow Goans to buy the product locally.
He said that Portuguese companies are willing to establish certification agencies in Goa to ensure Goan products meet European standards, thus facilitating their smooth entry into European markets. “Both Goa and Portugal are looking at each other as gateways. You are looking at Portugal as a gateway to Europe, while we are seeing Goa as a gateway to doing increased business with India,” said Alvares, adding that, trade with Portugal offers an opportunity for entry into the markets of Brazil and South America.
“Due to shared history, Goa is always a preferred destination for trade deals to Portugal. Specific areas where we are seeking tie-ups are in tourism, food processing, heritage restoration, agriculture, and education,” he said.
Alvares said that Portugal has seen considerable success in promoting itself as a favorite place for digital nomads. “For Goa to do the same, the government must ensure seamless 5G connectivity, co-working spaces, and efficient Airbnb operations,” he said.
Alvares spoke in the presence of Isabelle Raimundu, Consul General of Portugal, Dr Domingos Mateus, Chancellor, Anthony Dsouza, director, department of NRI Affairs, GCCI, vice president Pratima Dhond, past president Ralph de Sousa, director general Sanjay Amonkar, among others. The event held at GCCI was attended by several MSME promoters.
PIBHub will soon establish a dedicated office in Goa to assist local businesses in fostering connections with Portuguese counterparts. Alvares said that PIBHub would try to address the issue of double taxation faced by Goan business owners, set up direct flight connectivity between the two regions, and help with advertising products on a Portugal website.
