NT NETWORK
Panaji
Stating that the Mopa airport will be a major cargo hub in the country, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that optimisation of logistics can be a catalyst for economic growth of Goa.
“The government will provide the logistics industry and all its stakeholders full support in bringing about sustainable economic development through innovative projects that could help Goa in becoming a leading logistical hub of the country,” he added.
Sawant was addressing the sixth edition of the Confederation of Indian industries-Goa’s conference on logistics.
This online conference was based on the theme ‘multi-modal logistics – a game changer for the state of Goa’ and deliberated on issues relating to measures required for promoting multimodal logistics in the state.
The Chief Minister further stated that the CII-Goa conference on logistics was a forum for all to discuss multi-modal logistics and how it could truly be a game changer for the state.
“It is an opportunity for us to deliberate on how the focus on logistics optimisation can be a catalyst for the economic growth of Goa,” he noted.
Sawant said the greenfield Mopa international airport being developed in four phases will be operational from 2022 and will become a major cargo hub of India as cargo movement will be easy due to road connectivity and navigational facilities.
“Besides pharma cargo, we could also look at perishable cargo, e-commerce cargo and high-value cargo,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Prabhu said that Goa being situated at the heart of the country was well poised to be one of the most unique destination for multi-modal logistics hub, particularly from the perspective of the overall logistics and due to its strategic location, which makes it very effective for trading of various economic activities and the integration of various services.
“Goa would thus provide end-to-end solutions with all the key elements since all the forms of transport for movement of goods and services are present in Goa and the state is also endowed with natural beauty and unique biodiversity,” he maintained.
Prabhu also stressed that whatever economic activity happens for developing logistics sector in the state so as to make it a multi-modal logistics, should be planned in such a way that it does not hamper the natural resources and Goa’s rich biodiversity.
“Developing logistics would also help in creating jobs and protecting the resources of the state,” he concluded.
Among others who addressed the session were Anthony Gaskell, convener of CII-Goa logistics panel; Shrinivas Dempo, past chairman of CII WR; and Bart de Jong, Consul General, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mumbai.
The main focus areas that were discussed at the conference included development of air-cargo in the state and multi-modal logistics in Goa.
A session on ‘blue economy – integration of water based economy and maritime cluster’ was also held.
