Business in Goa

Goa Business :
Economy
Though a late starter, Goa has emerged as one of the most developed states in India and is considered an important investment destination, with infrastructure to match. Its socio-economic indicators are comparable with the developed countries in the world and its per capita income is the highest in the country. It has also been rated best in India in terms of infrastructure facilities. The biggest foreign exchange earner in Goa is tourism which is also the biggest success stories of the state - it contributes 15 percent of the country's foreign exchange earnings from tourism annually.
Goa's gross state domestic product for 2004 was estimated at $3 billion at current prices and in the last 15 years the state domestic product (SDP) has risen at an average rate of 12.5 percent.
The major sectors in Goa's economy include agriculture, fisheries, mining and tourism. In recent years the state has also witnessed growth in the pharma and IT industries.

Agriculture
Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Goa has a shortage of cultivable land. The coastal areas are exposed to salinity and do not qualify as good agricultural areas, while the inland areas are not productive enough. For its day-to-day needs of agricultural produce like vegetables, it is dependent on Karnataka and Maharashtra. However, approximately one-third of the total land in the state falls under forest areas and yields substantial profits.
The government has taken a lot of steps to improve and develop agriculture in the state. Paddy is the principal crop, followed by ragi, maize, jowar, bajra and pulses. Cash crops like coconut, cashew nut, arecanut, mango, jackfruit, banana, pineapple are also grown in abundance. Cashew is an important crop in Goa and is also used to produce the very popular drink feni. Sugarcane cultivation has been taken up only recently and a sugar factory has also been set up. Forest produce too makes up a significant part of the agriculture in the state.

Fisheries
Goa has a coastline of about 105 km and 555 km of inland waterways and hence the fishing industry is an essential part of the economy. The annual fish production is 70,000 tonnes. Besides strengthening the economy, it provides employment to a large number of people. There are over 30,000 fishermen in the state, with the population of active fishermen at 12,000. The state has a registered fleet of 1,134 mechanized boats, 755 country crafts, 1963 non-motorized country crafts and 6,463 nets.

Mining Industry
Though other industries have emerged strong in Goa, the mining sector still retains its importance. It forms the second-largest industry in Goa after tourism and provides employment to about 11,000 persons directly and about 10,000 indirectly. Iron and manganese ore are the chief finds followed by bauxite, limestone and clay. Mining in Goa started during the Portuguese period but the process underwent modernization only after independence. Most of the mines are privately owned.
The iron ore industry is the main mining industry. The annual production is around 15 million tonnes and over 60 percent of the total iron ore exported from the country is from Goa alone.

Pharmaceutical Industry
In Goa, major growth in the pharmaceutical sector started in the late 1990s. Today, the pharmaceutical industry has over 120 registered units employing approximately 18,000 people.

IT Industry
The government is trying to encourage the electronic industry in the state. An office of Software Technology Park of India (STPI) has already been set up to facilitate approvals required by IT units from the government of India. The first of the Software Technology Park (STP) complex, which is coming up at Verna, is just 12 km from the airport. A Hl-Tech Habitat project has also been proposed at Dona Paula and an IT park is being planned on 500 acres located in Mandrem-Morjim.

Tourism
The economy of the state receives its major boost from the tourism industry which has overtaken mining as the primary industry. The state receives over 10 percent of the foreign tourists visiting the country each year and this industry generates a lot of foreign exchange. Its 105-km long, palm-fringed coastline interspersed with enchanting coves, bays and estuaries draws an incredible number of visitors. In 2001, 1.38 million tourists (foreign and domestic) visited Goa, a little more than the population of the entire state.

Health Tourism
With a large number of foreign tourists flocking to Goa every year, the state has emerged as one of the prime destinations for medical tourism in India.
Goa's medical sector provides state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of international tourists. One can now choose from numerous economical healthcare packages such as dentistry, cardiac care, cosmetic surgery, herbal health, yoga, complete body heath profile, executive health plan, women's health plan, hormone profile, cancer profile, ayurvedic and homeopathic, etc.

BANKS IN GOA
Goa has a wide network of banks. Its large expat population makes it a heavily-banked region.

Panjim Axis Bank
Atmaram Comm Complex, Dr. A B Rd,
Opp. Hotel Nova Goa, Panjim

State Bank of India
State Bank House, D B Marg, Panjim

Andhra Bank, Gauriniwas
A B Rd, Near EDC House, Panjim
Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd
Hotel Summit, Panjim

Centurion Bank Limited
Durga Niwas, M G Rd, Panjim

EDC Ltd
1st Floor, EDC House, Dr. A B Rd,
PB No 275, Panjim;

Federal Bank Ltd
Opp. All India Radio, Alinho Panjim
Global Trust Bank Ltd
Sapana Regency, Dr. Shirgaonkar Rd,
Off 18th June Rd, Panjim

HDFC Bank
Minum Residency, 18th June Rd,
Panjim;

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd
Atmaram Community Complex,
Dr. A B Rd, Opp. Hotel Nova, Panjim

Reserve Bank of India
Block 3a-3b, 3rd Floor, Sesa Ghor,
20 EDC Complex, Patto Plaza Exchange
Control Dept, Panjim

Small Industries Development Bank of India
EDC House, A B Rd, Panjim
LKP Forex S
14 Magnum Centre, M G Rd, Panjim

ICICI Bank Ltd
Sindur Business Centre, Swarni O
Vivekananda Rd, Panjim

Global Trust Bank Ltd
Sapana Regency, Dr. Shirgaonkar Rd,
Off 18th June Rd, Panjim
Industrial Credit and Devlopment Syndicate Ltd
Durga Chamber, 18th June Rd
National Industries Corporation Ltd of
India
Govt Quarters 5,Triveni, St. Inez, Panjim

Oriental Bank of Commerce
18th June Rd, Panjim

Punjab and Sind Bank
Aquartius Apts, S V Rd, Panjim

Punjab National Bank
Calisto Mansion, Dr. Pissulekar Rd,
Panjim;
Margao

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
B-2/S1, Hema Apts Borda,
Opp. Jacksons, Margao;

The Ratnakar Bank Ltd
Katyani Chambers, Margao

Sangli Bank Ltd
Station Rd, Margao IClCI Bank Limited
Panandikar Chambers,
Minguel L Furtado Rd. Margao

IDBI Bank Ltd
Jyoti Plaza,
lsidorio Baptista Rd, Margao
Tel: 2700400

Indusind Bank Ltd
Chaze Gallery,
Salcete Rua De Abacle Faria, Margao

Vasco Chartered Bank
Damodar Bldg, Swatantra Path,

Vasco Centurion Bank
Ground Floor, Melquiedes Bldg, Joseph Vaz Rd, Vasco

Indian Bank
Bela Vista, Vasco

Mapusa Vijaya Bank Ltd
Tourist Hostel, Gandhi Chowk, Mapusa

Allahabad Bank
Satya Hira Hotel Bldg, Opp. Bus Stand,

Mapusa Bank of Maharashtra
Coscar Bldg, Taliwada, Mapusa

State Bank of Patiala
Dilkhush Bldg, Feira Baixa, Mapusa

Union Bank of India
Taliwada Coscar Corner, Mapusa

Indian Bank
Coscar Corner Hotel, Bardez Bldg,
Mapusa

Bicholim Bank of India
Kamat Bldg, Bicholim

Dena Bank
Verem Main Rd

Kamataka Bank
Alto Betim
State Bank of Mysore
Khandepar Ponda

COURIER SERVICES

DHL Worldwide Express
A Ventures, Shop No 1&2, Live In Apts,
Bh Hotel Delmon, Panjim Head

Manvin's Couriers
Basement of Hotel Manvin's, Municipal
Gardens/ Church Square, Panjim; Margao collection
centre, Tourist Hostel, basement; Vasco collection centre, Tilak
Maidan 1st Floor;

DTDC Courier
1 Ground Floor, Dempo Towers,
Patto Plaza, Panjim

Blue Dart Courier Service
G6 Ground Floor Citi Centre,
EDC Complex, Patto Plaza, Panjim

First Flight
Ground Floor, Citi Centre,
Pato Plaza, EDC Complex, Panjim

BUSINESS HOTELS

Hotel Mandovi
Menino Regency
Hotel Manvin
Hotel Manoshanti
Bambolim Beach Retort
International Centre
The Majestic Goa
Hotel Fidalgo
Hotel Nova Goa
Hotel Mandovi
Park Plaza Goa
Hotel Atish
Nanutel

CONFERENCE HALLS

With so many hotels in Goa, it's not tough to find conference halls. It might be true to say that there are more conference and convention centres in the beachside hotels than one would want in the urban areas of Goa. Below is a listing.

Bogmallo Beach Resort Hotel
This hotel has three conference halls and each can accommodate 80 to 120 people.
PO Bogmalo 403806

Cidade De Goa
The Grand Sala here can seat upto 500 guests. It also has other halls catering to smaller functions.
Dona Paula, Goa 403004

Dona Sylvia Resort
The conference hall and the outdoor lawns can accommodate 40 to 1000 people.
Cavelossim, Mobor

Fidalgo Hotel
Celebrations and meetings can be held at The Great Hall, The Duke, The Baron, The Palms (terrace garden), Sonata and Serenade.
18th June Rd, Panjim

Fort Aguada Beach Resort
The conference facilities here provide seating for upto 225 people. Sinquerim, Goa 403519 Goa

Marriott Resort
The nine meeting rooms here can seat upto 500 guests.
PO Box 64, Miramar, Panjim

Hotel La Paz Gardens
The boardroom at La Paz Gardens has the capacity to seat 200 people. Swatantra Path, Vasco Da Garna, Goa 403802

Hotel Mandovi
This prestigious hotel set up in the 1950s has long been the venue for meetings. It has a number of state-of-the-art convention halls. D S Marg, Panjim. Goa 403001

Hotel Nova Goa
Hosts non-residential and residential conferences and has a capacity of upto 230 people.
Dr. A B Rd, Panjim, Goa 403001

International Centre
Six kilometres from Panjim, the Centre has three air-conditioned conference halls which can accommodate from 30 to 180 guests.
Goa University Rd, Dona Paula Post
Office, Goa 403004

Intercontinental The Grand Resort Goa
Has a banquet hall, pre-function area, two meeting rooms and a boardroom. Raj Baga, Canacona, Goa 403702

Majestic Hotel
Its conference hall can seat upto 225 people and the Maurya Board Room is suitable for a crowd of 15. Porvorim Village, Goa 403521

Majorda Beach Resort
There are three halls at this resort - San Rafael (seats 160 to 600), San Gabriel (45 to 125) and San Miguel (30 to 80).
Salcette, Goa 403713

Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa
The conference halls at this luxury resort can seat upto 370 people.
Arossim Beach, Cansaulim,
Goa 403712

Radisson White Sands Resort
From an executive board room to an elegant ballroom, this place offers a good variety of venues for business meetings and seating for about 450 people.
Pedda, Varca, Salcette,
Margoa, Goa 403721

Taj Exotica Hotel
The five conference rooms at the Taj Exotica have a capacity of upto 800 to 1,200.
Benaulim, Goa 403716

The Kenilworth Beach Resort & Spa
The conference facilities at this resort can accommodate upto 125 people. The poolside can accommodate upto 800 guests.
Utorda, Salcete 403713

The Leela Goa
This hotel can accommodate from 16 to 400 guests. The conference rooms include Apaianta (400 guests), Hampi (upto 200 guests) and Bidar and Badami (upto 24 guests). The Leela Mobor, Cavelossim

ATMs

ICICI BANK Around Panjim
• Sindur Business Centre, Swami Vivekanand Rd, Panjim
• Rizvi Towers, 18th June Rd, St. Inez
• Dwarka Nandanvan Complex, Vasudeo Dempo Marg, Tonca, Mirarnar
• Rosefield, NIO Circle, Dona Paula
• Harmony Apts, Talegaon Bazar, Vodlem Bhat, Talegao
• 3 TTR, 2 STC, Bambolim

Around Mapusa and Calangute:
• Garden Centre, Phase II,
Opp. Mapusa Police Station, Mapusa
• Burye Service Station, near Municipal Market, Mapusa
• Kalika, Near P&T Quarters, Alto Porvorim
• Benson Complex, Naik Waddo, Calangute
• Opp. Tivim Ind Estate, Carraswaddo
• Anant Muktangan, Verem, Reis Magos

In Salcete
• Caculo House, Near Aquem PO, Malbhat, Margao
• Panandikar Chambers, M. Loyola Furtado Rd, Opp. Marpol House, Margao
• 3. MTR, Navelim
• Boussuet Complex, Cansaulim
• Vincy Beach Resort, Colva Beach
• Furtado Plaza, Calvaddo, Near Varca Church

Around Vasco
Raj Tara Bldg, F L Gomes Rd, Vasco-Da-Gama
In Ponda, Bicholim, Curchorem
• Vivek Building, Vivekananda CHS, Opp. SBI, Ponda
• Vasudeva Arcade, „ Opp. Shivaji Maidan, Bicholim
• Razziq Petrol Pump,
Opp. Govt Palace, Curchorem

HDFC BANK Around Panjim
• 18th June Rd, near Mathias Plaza, Panjim
• Palmar Japao, Opp. Mathias Plaza, 18th June Rd, Panjim
• Merces Towers, Shop 3, Opp. Kadamba Bus Stand, Panjim
• Excel Elite, Main Rd, Caranzalem

Around Mapusa and Calangute
• Cosmos Towers, near Govt Bldg Complex, Mapusa
• Dev Deep Bldg, near Water Tank, National Highway 17, Porvorim
• Ida Maria Apts, Calangute
• Regal Villa, Opposite SBI, Candolim

Around Margao
• Ranghavi, Opp. Municipality, Margao
• Mangirish Prasad Aquem, Margao
• Lake View Bldg, Fatorda New Football Stadium, Margao
• D-Link (India) Ltd, L5 Verna Industrial Area, Verna Plateau

Around Vasco
• Damodar Bldg, Swatantra Path, Vasco
• Nauseem Market, Naval Housing Complex, Varunapuri
• MHN 725(1), Airport Rd, Chicalim

Around Ponda and Sanguem
• Royal Chambers, Ponda
• 6 TTR, Ponda
• Dasha Apartments, Quepem
• Mopkar Chamunda, near PO, Curchorem-Sanguem Rd

Many banks tend to be members of multilateral shared ATM networks. But all ATMs of a bank may not be on the same network. Before using your card, make sure to check for the network logo on your card and match it with the logo outside the ATM. Keep in mind that charges apply per transaction.