Government aiming to procure 50% of services from MSMEs: Goa CM

PANAJI: The state government is aiming to procure 50% of products and services from medium, small and micro enterprises (MSME) to boost the sector, said chief minister Pramod Sawant.
He also said that land that was repossessed from special economic zone (SEZ) developers would be utilised for setting up industries.
Speaking at a function in Panaji on Saturday, Sawant said the government is taking numerous steps to facilitate the growth of MSMEs in Goa.
He also said as availability of land is a major challenge, this problem would be solved to a large extent following the move to repossess SEZ land.
Sawant also said the government has reconstituted investment promotion board to facilitate the setting up of industries in the state.
“We are committed to ensure that at least 50% of the total procurement for the government will be done from local MSMEs,” he said.
The chief minister further said that the state and union governments have geared up to promote the growth of the MSME sector.
At present, the MSME sector contributes 29% of the GDP and constitutes 48% of exports, as well as generates employment, Sawant said.
He said that the MSME sector is the real growth engine of India’s economy and holds the key to realise India’s aim to be a 5 trillion dollor economy, a goal set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“For this goal to be a reality by 2024, the MSME sector should be geared up to contribute 2 trillion dollars,” he said, adding that Union minister Nitin Gadkari has set a target of generating 5 crore additional jobs in this sector.
“I am sure the MSME sector will rise up to the challenge and meet both these objectives,” Sawant said.
He said that India has more than 50 million MSMEs which are facing liquidity crunch, for which the government is trying to find a solution.