GCCI supports DefExpo, but opposes Quitol as a permanent venue
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 29 February 2016 17:40 IST
Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported the four-day Defence Expo, but has equally opposed to hold it at Quitol from 2018 onwards.
Narayan alias Nana Bandekar told a group of media persons after the union budget that GCCI will oppose holding the exhibition on the industrial land in future.
He however not only supports the international event but demands that Goa be made a permanent venue for DefExpo, a biennial exhibition of defence equipment from all over the world.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had recently said that the land would be required at the most for 30 days in two years, that is 730 days.
The media persons asked Bandekar what he suggests the government to use the land for, the rest 700 days, since it could not be used for industrial development because of DefExpo happening there every two years.
“Quitol is marked for industrial purpose and the land cannot be kept vacant merely because of DefExpo. We will oppose any such move. Shift the DefExpo elsewhere in Goa”, suggested the GCCI president.
When it was pointed out to him that Goa government also intends to use the land for several such exhibitions, Bandekar said the land is meant for industry and should be used for the industry.
Bandekar, though supported the government for holding DefExpo, was equally upset with the attitude of the ruling politicians, who were holding the expo without taking people into confidence.
The GCCCI has also appealed to all the groups opposing DefExpo not to hold the state’s development to ransom, when Parrikar and Goa government have assured not to take over the land.
“We have urged the chief minister as well as respective government authorities that they should take the locals into confidence before holding such an event. Ultimately, it is their village”, he opined.
In fact Bandekar has lauded Parrikar for taking ahead the 2012 proposal of UPA government to host the DefExpo in Goa.
According to Bandekar, DefExpo would be beneficial to all types of enterprises, right from hospitality to transportation, logistics and travel companies to a large variety of service providers , hardware and electrical contractors and IT and IT-based services to manufacturers and light engineering units stand to gain from this exhibition.
While few Goan enterprises are direct beneficiaries of this event, the GCCI president said there are many Goan firms and service providers who have received enquiries from main and sub-contractors for supplying many goods as well as services.
With DefExpo being held in Goa, he said many Goan MSMEs will get an opportunity to network with other Indian and foreign companies and strike lucrative deals for sub‐contracts and supply solutions.
Has parrikar ever kept his word when he was cm or now.He has memory loss problem and a U Turn specialist.Had the new CM ever kept his word.He even removed honest police officers who were investigating his corrupt and bribe asking brother in law.