The Hindu Business Line : `Goa, a powerful agent to bring India, Portugal closer'

Goa, an erstwhile Portuguese colony, armed with its warm historical relations with the Portugal, is all set to become the country's gateway for trade and industry.

This was the message given out on Saturday when the President of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr Nitin Kuncolienkar, and the Vice-President of AIP, an association of Portuguese industries, Mr Joao Dotti, signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of the President the Republic of Portugal, Prof. Anibal Cavaco Silva.

The MoU deals with various aspects of trade between both the parties, the Vice-President of GCCI, Mr Mangirish Raikar, told the Business Line later.

Prof. Silva earlier emphasised Goa can act as the gateway of India to Portugal to establish and promote activities linked to trade and industry. As a member of the European Union, Portugal is also a platform for providing access to a consolidated market of 500 million consumers, he said.

"I also believe that the singular affinities that unite Goa and Portugal can turn Goa into a powerful agent in mobilising closer ties between both our countries and in establishing a new platform of relationship, co-operation and partnership that will be of benefit to all," he observed.

Prof Silva, currently on a two-day Goa visit along with a strong contingent of Portuguese trade and industry representatives, delivered an address based on the theme `India-Portugal: Bridge to the future' organised by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, and the Portuguese Minister for Economy and Innovation, Mr Manuel Pinho, were present.

"We have the advantage of excellent political relations between our countries, of an adequate network of agreements and protocols in several areas and of the will of the political, economic and cultural agents," he said, adding "Therefore, business ties and economic relations between Portugal and India which have somehow remained considerably below what might be expected, should be reinforced," said Mr. Silva.

Areas for collaboration

Mr Rane identified areas of joint collaboration between Goa and Portugal and said that Portugal can collaborate with the state of Goa in areas like garbage disposal system, development of ports and wine producing technology.

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