Goa looking at 12% economic growth this fiscal, says CM Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Goa's economic growth will gather momentum from mid-July and it is looking at 12 per cent expansion this fiscal following state government's clearing all debts accumulated during the erstwhile Congress-led administration, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

He sought support from the industry for achieving this goal and assured it of all help required for creating a conducive growth environment.

"You help me in creating employment for locals and I will help you in earning profits," he added.

Parrikar asked businessmen to suggest viable policy initiatives and assured them of looking into the problems being faced by ailing industrial units and coming up with solutions by September.

He said the state's debts, amounting to Rs 1,200 crore that had piled up through various outstandings, were paid-off by the current BJP-led government, which took charge on March 9 this year.

"We have a clean slate now. Economic growth will be fast paced from July-mid onwards," the Chief Minister said, addressing the Annual General Body meeting of Goa State Industries' Association here last evening.

"The way state was handled by erstwhile government was terrible. When I took over the reign, I had payable debt of Rs 1,200 crore," Parrikar said.

Goa, he said, aims to achieve 12 per cent growth in its GDP by the end of current fiscal and take that rate to 15 per cent in the next financial year. "For this, I need a clear cut support from the business community."