India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs continue to remain one of the strongest drivers of entrepreneurship, employment and economic momentum. Commenting on the Union Budget’s focus on the sector, Shwetank Dixit, Chief Growth Officer at Justdial, said the creation of a ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, along with a ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, marks a significant step in strengthening long-term MSME growth.
According to Dixit, the measures directly address three long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs—limited access to equity capital, inconsistent liquidity and delayed payments. He noted that structural reforms such as improved integration of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) could help improve cash flows and bring greater predictability to payment cycles.
Dixit also highlighted the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and simplified business processes as a critical enabler for MSMEs. As small businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms for discovery, market expansion and productivity gains, these initiatives provide a stronger foundation for sustainable scaling.
He added that a consistent policy focus on digital adoption and financial access will allow MSMEs to grow with greater confidence, efficiency and resilience.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has taken up the urgent issue of restricted movement of heavy commercial vehicles on NH-66, which has been adversely affecting air cargo operations to Goa International Airport, Dabolim, and Manohar International Airport, Mopa.
A GCCI delegation comprising Mr. Chandrakant Gawas, Chairman – GCCI Logistics Committee; Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI; Foreign Trade Officer Mr. Sanket Kaskar, GCCI; along with representatives from GMR, Mr. Purshottam and Mr. Satyajeet, met Mr. Ankit Yadav, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa, to discuss the operational challenges faced by exporters and importers due to traffic restrictions and ongoing infrastructure works on NH-66.
During the meeting, GCCI highlighted the severe difficulties faced by six-wheeler and above commercial vehicles transporting time-sensitive air cargo, particularly from key industrial estates. The restrictions have significantly impacted sectors such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce, where strict adherence to flight cut-off timings is critical.
GCCI requested the notification and opening of an alternative route on NH-66 to ensure uninterrupted daytime movement of heavy commercial vehicles, smooth connectivity to Manohar International Airport, Mopa, removal of abandoned vehicles obstructing traffic, and prevention of garbage dumping along the highway.
The delegation also drew attention to the increasing number of accidents on the Porvorim road amid ongoing infrastructure works. GCCI urged the deployment of dedicated traffic police personnel, stricter speed monitoring, improved road signage, creation of dedicated lanes where feasible, and awareness initiatives to promote safer road usage.
Emphasizing the need for stronger logistics infrastructure, GCCI called for the establishment of designated truck termini in both North and South Goa to address traffic congestion and unregulated parking. The Chamber further highlighted the issue of indiscriminate garbage dumping along highways, posing hygiene and safety risks, and sought stricter enforcement and improved waste management measures.
Additionally, GCCI requested stricter traffic regulation on the Dayanand Bandodkar Road from Divja Circle to the ferry point, where continuous traffic congestion is observed due to irregular parking and traffic rule violations. The Chamber also informed the Collector about rent-a-car vehicles and taxis occupying parking spaces in city areas, inconveniencing citizens visiting for work, and sought strict action against such violations.
Responding positively, Mr. Ankit Yadav, IAS, assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be examined in coordination with the concerned departments to arrive at a practical and workable solution. The proposed measures are expected to ease congestion and ensure smooth movement of goods to the GMR-operated Manohar International Airport, Mopa, thereby strengthening Goa’s air cargo ecosystem.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Chandrakant Gawas, Chairman – GCCI Logistics Committee, stated that improved logistics connectivity is crucial for sustaining Goa’s competitiveness in exports and trade. GCCI also expressed its willingness to participate in joint inspections or surveys to identify the most feasible alternative routes.
The initiative is expected to bring significant relief to exporters, manufacturers, MSMEs, and logistics operators, reinforcing Goa’s position as a reliable hub for trade and air cargo movement.
Goa | February 1, 2026: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, terming it a major boost to India’s economy and a positive step towards sustainable and inclusive growth.
GCCI organised a live viewing of the Union Budget presented by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, followed by a press conference where leading representatives from Goa’s business and industrial community shared their insights on the Budget’s implications for the state and the nation.
Welcoming the Budget, Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President, GCCI, said that the Budget is growth-oriented and addresses the aspirations of the common people while reinforcing the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. She highlighted targeted interventions across six key areas, including rejuvenation of legacy industries, creation of champion MSMEs, infrastructure development, long-term economic security, city economic regions, and industry-led research and training centres to build a skilled workforce. She also noted that initiatives such as Bharat Vistar, a multilingual AI tool integrating the agri-stack, and the establishment of She Marts will empower women entrepreneurs.
Mr. Yatin Kakodkar, Vice-President, GCCI, described the Budget as progressive and forward-looking, reflecting India’s readiness for the next phase of growth. He appreciated the Government’s success in maintaining the fiscal deficit at around 4% and welcomed the focus on infrastructure, SMEs, tourism, waterways, east–west corridors, and medical tourism, all of which are expected to directly benefit Goa’s economy.
Dr. Sangam Kurade, Vice-President, GCCI, observed that the projected growth of 7.4% is a result of earlier policy announcements. He stated that proposals related to tourism, youth skilling, hospitality institutes, upskilling of manpower, and promotion of the orange economy will significantly benefit Goa.
Mr. Manguirish Pai Raikar, Past President, GCCI, noted that the Budget builds upon previous reforms and contributes meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasised that Goa must effectively leverage opportunities arising from tourism and youth-focused schemes to scale its economy further.
Representing the taxation and financial services perspective, Mr. Raghunath Bhanap, Secretary, GCCI and Chairman, Taxation & Financial Services Committee, highlighted several reform-oriented measures, including reduced import dependency, strengthened MSMEs, mandatory PSU procurement through TReDS-registered suppliers, integration of GeM with TReDS, reduced TCS on foreign tours, PAN replacing TAN in several processes, and treating receivables as assets for improved credit flow. He stressed that timely implementation will be key.
Mr. Vishwabhan Bhopte welcomed simplification measures under the Income Tax framework, including centralised filing of Form 15H, revised filing timelines, and simplified return forms, stating that these will reduce compliance burden for taxpayers.
Mr. Shripad Parab, President, AGTPA, observed that the Budget aligns with projected growth estimates and fiscal deficit targets. He welcomed reduced TCS, simplified income tax procedures, new schemes for small taxpayers, and the ambitious GST revenue target.
Overall, GCCI leaders expressed optimism that the Union Budget 2026–27 will drive economic growth, promote innovation, strengthen the business ecosystem, and positively impact Goa and the nation.
In a landmark move set to significantly boost bilateral trade, Australia will eliminate tariffs on all Indian goods from January 1, 2026, fulfilling a major commitment under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) signed three years ago.
The decision comes amid strong momentum in trade relations, with Indian exports to Australia rising by 8% in FY 2024–25. Key growth sectors include gems and jewellery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products such as coffee, spices, and organic foods.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the move as a game-changer for small businesses, farmers, and workers in labour-intensive sectors, stating that tariff-free access would enhance India’s global competitiveness while creating sustainable employment opportunities.
A notable development alongside the tariff elimination is a new mutual recognition agreement on organic products, which will substantially reduce certification costs and regulatory hurdles for Indian exporters. This is expected to particularly benefit India’s growing organic farming community and MSMEs looking to expand into international markets.
The tariff-free regime underscores the deepening strategic and economic partnership between India and Australia. Both nations have expressed interest in expanding cooperation beyond trade into education, clean energy, digital economy, critical minerals, and supply-chain resilience.
As global trade dynamics evolve, the move positions India as a preferred trade partner for Australia, while reinforcing India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing and export hub.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk
Amazon is reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s growth journey, with plans to invest more than $XX billion across its businesses in the country through 2030, aligned with the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. An Economic Impact Report by Keystone Strategy, released at the sixth edition of the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, highlights Amazon as the largest foreign investor in India, the largest enabler of ecommerce exports, and among the top job creators in the country.
According to the report, Amazon has invested nearly $XX billion in India since 2010, including employee compensation and infrastructure development. These investments have supported the digitisation of over 12 million small businesses, enabled more than $20 billion in cumulative ecommerce exports, and supported approximately 2.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs across India in 2024. Amazon’s investments span physical and digital infrastructure, including fulfilment centres, logistics networks, data centres, digital payments infrastructure and technology development.
At the summit, Amazon reiterated its intent to deepen its engagement in India by increasing investments by more than $XX billion by 2030, focusing on three strategic pillars: AI-driven digitisation, export growth and job creation. The company aims to create an additional one million job opportunities over the next five years, taking its cumulative job impact even further across sectors such as technology, logistics, retail, manufacturing and creative services.
Amazon’s export enablement efforts continue to play a key role in taking Made-in-India products to global markets. As Amazon Global Selling completes ten years of operations, cumulative ecommerce exports enabled from India have crossed $20 billion. The company has now set a target of enabling $80 billion in cumulative ecommerce exports by 2030. As part of this effort, Amazon has launched the “Accelerate Exports” initiative to connect digital entrepreneurs with trusted manufacturers and enable manufacturers to scale as global sellers, supported by on-ground onboarding drives across major manufacturing clusters and partnerships with industry bodies.
In line with the government’s vision of “AI for All,” Amazon also outlined plans to democratise access to artificial intelligence across India. By 2030, the company aims to deliver AI-powered benefits to 15 million small businesses, enhance shopping experiences for hundreds of millions of customers through AI-driven innovations, and empower four million government school students with AI education and career exploration opportunities through curriculum support, teacher training and hands-on learning experiences.
Through sustained investments, infrastructure expansion and technology-led initiatives, Amazon continues to position itself as a key partner in India’s digital transformation, export growth and employment generation, contributing meaningfully to the nation’s economic and innovation-driven future.
