PANAJI: Questioning as to whether there exists a collective drive between the state government and the business community in Goa, the first secretary (trade and investment) at the British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai, Mr Daniel Charles Mouawad on Thursday said that the world has changed a lot and Goa should use all key ingredients of trade and investment so as to position itself for facing the changing global scenario.

Addressing a gathering of Goan entrepreneurs during a presentation organised by the British Business Group – Goa, in the city, Mr Mouawad said that he has special affinity to Goa as the state displays pace of development, focuses on infrastructural expansion and has a collective drive for moving forward, as compared to other states. “However, Goa is not taken seriously as it should have been,” he lamented.
The chairperson of the British Business Group – Goa, Ms Beryl Nassé and Mr D Kumar Pillai representing the managing committee of the BBG – Goa were also present on the occasion.
Stating that the United Kingdom is looking for investment in India in various sectors such as collaborations, knowledge transfer, equity, and acquisitions, Mr Mouawad said that the Indian entrepreneurs, on the other hand can use UK as a springboard for carrying out business in Europe. “In fact, I was in Chennai last week, focussing on digital segment including animation,” Mr Mouawad informed, further pointing out that a week before that he travelled to Bangalore discussing trade and investment in bio-technology, while he would soon be thrashing out the segment of auto and aero space.
Recalling that Queen Elizabeth II, in her recent speech before the British Parliament had spoken about “looking forward to an enhanced partnership with India”, Mr Mouawad said that this reflection about India in the speech by the Queen clearly shows a surge in focus on India that UK will make; not politically but in terms of business. “The business opportunities are greatest in India, but competition here is greatest too,” he noted.
Observing that in Goa, there are major business sectors dependent on indigenous market as much as on global market, Mr Mouawad said that Goa has so much to play out, that is if it can play its cards properly. “You have some special attributes, special skills but what you do with them in the market is important,” he told the group of Goan entrepreneurs, maintaining “Realistically, nobody is holding down your future prospects.”
Stating that UK is a mature market, Mr Mouawad, in his reaction to the Indian market said that some of the large industrial sectors in India are commanding 2 per cent of the global market, but if India can organise itself, it would be really frightening. He also narrated a tale of an Indian woman entrepreneur – a ‘one woman band’, who produced jute bags and was able to set up her business in UK quite successfully.
Earlier, Mr Pillai introduced Mr Mouawad.
Later, speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, Ms Nassé said that the British Business Group – Goa has 48 members and had even taken eight local entrepreneurs to UK on a trade mission. “In fact, one of our members has just opened an establishment in UK to export his products,” she informed, adding that a UK based company in turn, has opened a cookery school at Betalbatim, in South Goa.
Stating that the aim of the BBG – Goa is to make UK have a look at Goa as a serious commercial option, Ms Nassé further informed that a firm called Connect London is organising Business Plans Competition for young Goan entrepreneurs, so as to encourage them for investing in UK.