Tag: GCCI

National

Goa Charts a Digital & Sustainable Tourism Future: CM Dr. Pramod Sawant at Roundtable Conclave

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, Goa — In a decisive push toward a digitally connected and sustainable future, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant took center stage at the high-level Roundtable Conclave on “Reimagining Goa@2037: Shaping a Sustainable and Digitally Connected Tourism Future.”

Organised by the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) in partnership with Chase Advisors, the event gathered influential stakeholders, including Industries and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and GCCI President Pratima Dhond, to explore Goa’s long-term development under the Viksit Goa 2037 initiative.

In his keynote address, Dr. Sawant reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to making Goa a model for smart governance and tourism innovation.

“We aim to make Goa a fully digitally enabled state—not just in the area of transport but across all sectors,” said Dr. Sawant. “Already, more than 240 services have been digitised, with many more in the pipeline to ensure ease of access, transparency, and efficiency for citizens and businesses alike.”

Highlighting the growing synergy between government and industry, the Chief Minister underlined the critical role of public-private partnerships in setting benchmarks for sustainable tourism, digital infrastructure, and citizen engagement.

  • 240+ citizen services already digitised
  • Plans to expand digital access across all sectors
  • Emphasis on sustainability and innovation in tourism
  • Strategic collaboration between government and industry

The conclave served as a collaborative platform for exchanging ideas and laying the groundwork for Goa’s transformation into a digitally advanced, environmentally responsible, and economically vibrant state by 2037.

Business

GCCI & Institution of Engineers Host Workshop on Renewable Energy Storage Solutions

allycaralgoa

The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with The Institution of Engineers (India), Goa State Centre, recently organized a landmark workshop on “Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions” at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, Panaji.

The event brought together industry experts, engineers, policymakers, and business representatives to discuss cutting-edge storage technologies that can strengthen Goa’s energy resilience and sustainability.

Keynote Insights
Mr. Alex Hunter, CEO & Founder of Sherwood Power, UK, presented an innovative clean compressed air energy storage solution, designed to reduce energy costs, stabilize the grid, and enable sustainable industrial growth. Er. Yeshwant Natekar, CEO of JNK Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., spoke on Clean Technologies, highlighting the importance of environmentally responsible practices in industrial operations.

Notable Remarks from Dignitaries

  • Mr. Anwar Khan, Chairman of IEI Goa Centre, underlined the Institution’s 105-year legacy in promoting knowledge-sharing between industry and academia.
  • Chief Guest, Mr. Stephen Fernandes, Chief Electrical Engineer, Government of Goa, emphasized the urgent need for independent thinking in addressing Goa’s energy challenges. He stressed the importance of projects like Tamnar and storage solutions to address peak-hour shortages, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
  • Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, noted that Goa’s reliance on imported power increases costs for industries and called for industry-government collaboration to accelerate renewable storage adoption.
  • Mr. Gerard D’Mello, Chairman of GCCI Infrastructure Committee, advocated for scalable and sustainable storage technologies, highlighting that the current net-metering system does not guarantee power security during outages.

Engagement & Outcomes
The workshop featured interactive technical sessions, Q&A discussions, and participation from the Goa Electricity Department, GSIDC, industry representatives, and GCCI & IEI members. It concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Er. Prakash Lotlikar.

The event reinforced GCCI and IEI’s shared commitment to fostering innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions, positioning Goa to meet future power demands with resilience.

Business

Goa Shipyard Ltd and GCCI to Collaborate on Joint Seminar and Vendor Development Programme for Goan MSMEs

allycaralgoa

Vasco-da-Gama – In a progressive move to strengthen Goa’s MSME ecosystem and enhance local participation in the maritime and defence industries, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) has expressed its intent to collaborate with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on a Joint Seminar and Vendor Development Programme.

A delegation from GCCI comprising Mr. Chandrakant Gawas (Chairman, GCCI Logistics Committee), Mr. Sanket Kaskar (Foreign Trade Officer), and Mr. Priyesh Kamat met with Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director of GSL, to discuss the proposal and map out a collaborative roadmap.

🌟 Key Focus Areas of the Initiative:

  • Joint Seminar featuring expert discussions on vendor development challenges and opportunities
  • Vendor Identification & Registration Drives to onboard capable Goan MSMEs
  • Training & Capacity Building Workshops aligned with GSL’s quality and procurement standards
  • Quality & Productivity Promotion through collaborative tools and industrial best practices
  • Policy Advocacy & Industry-Academia Linkages to create a robust maritime ecosystem in Goa

The initiative also proposes involving neighbouring Chambers such as the Belgaum Chamber, further enhancing regional cooperation and resource pooling.

GCCI expressed gratitude to Shri Upadhyay and GSL for their proactive approach in supporting local businesses and reiterated the importance of this collaboration in driving self-reliance, local job creation, and inclusive industrial growth.

The next step will see a GCCI delegation visit GSL to formalize the plan and execute actionable strategies. This partnership stands to unlock new growth avenues for Goan MSMEs in the maritime and defence sectors, while positioning Goa as a competitive hub for manufacturing excellence.

📖 Stay updated with the full coverage on allycaral.com

Business

Workshop on Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions – GCCI & IEI Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with The Institution of Engineers (India) Goa State Centre, is proud to host a one-day workshop titled “Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions”, on Saturday, 9th August 2025, from 3:00 PM onwards, at the prestigious Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, Panaji–Goa.

As the world rapidly shifts toward renewable energy, effective storage solutions have become crucial. This workshop will bring together top minds from the renewable energy sector to discuss the current challenges in integrating wind and solar power into the grid, tackling grid stability, and designing systems that meet peak power demand efficiently.

A major highlight of the event will be the exclusive unveiling of a revolutionary energy storage device, introduced by none other than Mr. Alex Hunter, CEO and Founder of Sherwood Power, UK. Known for his innovative contributions to the green energy space, Mr. Hunter’s session will explore how the device can transform the way industries and utilities manage energy – with potential to cut operational costs and enhance energy reliability.

This workshop is designed for engineers, business leaders, energy professionals, sustainability enthusiasts, and policymakers looking to stay ahead of the curve in energy technology.

Key Details:

  • Title: Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions
  • Date: 9th August 2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM onwards
  • Venue: Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, GCCI, Panaji–Goa
  • Organized by: GCCI in association with IEI Goa State Centre

Registration:
Prior registration is mandatory. Interested participants may contact the offices of GCCI or IEI Goa to reserve their spot.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with trailblazers in the energy domain and discover actionable solutions for a sustainable future.

Business

GCCI Urges CBDT to Introduce Faceless Registration for Charitable Trusts under 12AB & 80G

Tanisha Cardozo

In a significant push for administrative reform in the non-profit sector, the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has submitted a formal representation to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), advocating for a faceless and fully digital registration mechanism for Charitable Trusts under Sections 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax Act.

The representation was submitted on July 28, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the CBDT in New Delhi. It was also marked to the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Goa.

At present, Charitable Trusts and Not-for-Profit Institutions in Goa face a cumbersome process to obtain these registrations, which are essential for tax exemptions on charitable income (12AB) and tax deductions for donors (80G). Despite submitting documents online, trustees are currently required to attend physical hearings at the Income Tax Department’s regional office in Bengaluru.

“This travel requirement imposes unnecessary logistical and financial burdens on small trusts, especially as most trustees serve on an honorary basis and operate with limited initial funding,” said Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI. “The current system acts as a deterrent to the formation and growth of charitable organisations in the state.”

GCCI’s appeal proposes the implementation of a faceless system, mirroring the existing faceless assessment framework already being successfully used by the Income Tax Department. In exceptional circumstances where hearings are warranted, the Chamber recommends that they be held at the local Income Tax office in Goa.

By easing the compliance process and removing the need for travel, GCCI believes the Central Government can encourage the growth of formalised charitable institutions and enhance civic engagement across Goa. This aligns with the government’s broader vision of promoting a taxpayer-friendly, digitally enabled, and reform-oriented system.

GCCI’s call for reform has been welcomed by several civil society organisations in the state, who echo the need for accessible and streamlined processes to foster community development.