Goa may soon see adoption of ‘blockchain’ technology

PANAJI: Goa could be the next beneficiary of blockchain technology, going by the enthusiasm shown by the government in adopting the latest IT technologies.

On Sunday, speaking at an interactive session at the International Blockchain Congress, Rohan Khaunte, Revenue and IT Minister, said that the state being small in size, and having good connectivity, could be the right place to kick start blockchain.

“The government is very serious and committed to look for new enabling systems. It is working very closely to ensure good governance and to make Goa the destination for IT hub in the world. A lot of policies are being framed to get good talent in the state,” Khaunte added.

He said that blockchain is required for good governance.

“The technology is like a public registry of what happens, who owns, who transacts, medium where all the information comes together,” he added.

He further added, “Blockchain is required in today’s world  as it collects data, builds layers and  doesn’t erase the past.”

The Department of Information and Technology organised the International Blockchain Congress (IBC), on Sunday, in the calendar of events to promote the state as an IT investment destination.

The Congress received participation from several technology-driven, global and Indian companies. Although there are no local startups in blockchain, Goan enterprenuers who registered at the event pointed out that it was a good forum to interact with experts and gain knowledge. DOIT organised the IBC in collaboration with the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Nucleus Vision International.

The day-long event at Inox grounds was aimed at bringing  together renowned speakers and thought leaders to deliberate on how ‘India can become the next blockchain capital of the world.’

Dharmendra Sharma, Chief Secretary; Dr Muktesh Chander,  Director General of Police; Ameya Abhyankar,  Secretary IT; Prof Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor of Goa University; Dr Hemant Darbari, director general C-DAC; Frans Kempen, Blockchain Lead for Logistics and Supply chain Industry IBM, Netherlands; Jeremy Gardner, co-founder and managing partner, Ausum Ventures;  RAdm. Shekhar Mital, chairman, CII Goa; Sandip Bhandare, president of GCCI; Abhishek Pitti, Nucleus Vision and Rama Iyer, head of corporate innovation, I-Hub were amongst those who attended the Congress.