BUSINESSGOA
50
PANAJI GOA VOL 5 ISSUE 3
SEPTEMBER 2013
50000 Jobs? 25k Crore Investments? GOA investment policy 2013
Will the recently unfurled State Investment Policy provide that ‘kiss of life’ to Goa’s industry?
www.businessgoa.in
News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features
Contents 12
September 2013
28 Goan Brand
i, the entrepreneur
In a short span of time Pilerne based Buona Pasta has captured the Goan markets and hearts
goa investment policy, 2013
32
30 Development Index
Atul Pai Kane on entrepreneurship, business trends and challenges
The Ozone Group is creating a revolutionary environment friendly resort by relying on the concept of ‘sustainable development’
18 Focus Goa
36 Professional Dossier 38 Lady Power
20
50 Bon Appétit
12 Cover Story
Leading Architect Amit Suctancar talks about his love for his calling and his achievements
The recently released Draft of the Goa Investment Policy 2013 aims at making the state investment friendly writes Janice Rodrigues
Shobha Tarcar started from scratch and built a successful catering business which is one of the most sought after of its kind in Goa
Vinayak Bharne offers an architect’s view on the Imagine Panjim initiative which promises to make Panjim a world class city
Starting Young
Miguel Arcanjo at the Taj Exotica is one giant leap towards the perfect Mediterranean feast
Bharat Kothari of Shree Tradelink talks about his move to Goa and how he set up one of Goa’s leading courier companies
48
22 24 Interview
Enterprise Prakash Solanki on how he turned to Goa to expand Solitaire Hardware
Vice President of GBOA and Chairman of GCCI’s Logistics Committee, Chandrakant Gawas speaks about Barge Owners’ woes and his views on the mining affect
BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS WORKSHOP 27-28 september 2013 at edc building, panaji
26 Industry
Turning ‘waste into wealth’ may seem like a school craft assignment, Ajay Gramopadhye talks about how he made this idiom commercially viable
26
50
COLUMNS
40 Serving Aces
28 40
Nilesh Amonker talks about how despite individual strengths and competencies the ultimate key to success is teamwork
42 Letter from America 42
06 Editorial 08 Corpo Scan 34 Campus 34 Book Shelf 34 BG Crossword 46 What’s Up Goa 52 Goa Buzz 54 Newsmakers 54 BG Quiz 04 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
44
Jay Dehejia analyzes how US President Obama’s policies may hold the secret behind India’s falling rupee
44 Legal Eagle
Raunaq Rao dissects The Goa Cess on Products and Substances causing Pollution (Green Cess) Act, 2013
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BUSINESSGOA
50
PANAJI GOA VOL 5 ISSUE 3
EDITORIAL
SEPTEMBER 2013
50000 Jobs? 25k Crore Investments? GOA INVESTMENT POLICY 2013
Will the recently unfurled State Investment Policy provide that ‘kiss of life’ to Goa’s industry?
www.businessgoa.in
News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features
VOL 5 | ISSUE 3 | SEPTEMBER 2013
Editor & Publisher Harshvardhan Bhatkuly Co-Publisher & Group Head Urvija Bhatkuly Advisory Board Datta Damodar Naik Ralph de Sousa Rajiv D’Silva Swapnil Kamat Team Alisha Patel Annalise Gouveia Ashok Kolvekar Govit Morajkar Mark Alphonsus Mayur Santinezkar Monaliza Dias Pritesh Naik Sigmund D’Souza Contributors in this Issue Janice Rodrigues Vinayak Bharne Nilesh Amonker Jay Dehejia Raunaq Rao Editorial, Advertising & Administrative Office Business Goa 101/5, Rua Thomas Ribeiro Fontainhas- Mala Panaji, 403001 Goa India Tel.: 0832-2425514, 6456555 Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com
Business Goa is a monthly magazine dedicated to trade, commerce and business features and news.
Publisher & Printer: Harshvardhan Bhatkuly Printed at Printek Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions expressed in Business Goa are not necessarily that of the publishers. While great care is being taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publishers are not responsible for omissions or incorrect information. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.
What lies beneath Ganesh Chaturthi is a very special occasion in Goa. It is as if cocking a snook at statistics, which tell you that Goa is an urban town – when the whole of the state decides to go to her villages. This year, sadly, the enthusiasm of Ganesh Chaturthi is yet to gather steam in Goa’s villages – many of which have been facing the brunt of the ban on mining in the state. When the mining ban came last year, no one thought that it would stay for a year. One year is a long time for thousands of dreams to have gone phut. Dreams that were built on the premise that nothing could go wrong with the mining business in Goa. But wrong it did go. And how! Popular economic indices will tell you that not everything is well in Goa. Automobile sales have dipped – especially with the luxury models. The real estate market is held tight by some tenacious developers who have remained in business by seeing through at least two serious recessions. To their credit, they are refusing to be cowed down. But then, many observers feel that the passing of the year could well be a tipping point for Goa’s economy, if it isn’t already. On the national level, the inflation is at an all time high and the man on the street has to bear the brunt of paying through his nose for almost everything that he needs to survive on. The UPA government is trying to push in some last minute legislations that they feel can cozy them up with the voters, as the nation faces another election year. The NDA too, is predictably stalling more working hours of the Parliament. It is as if nobody wants to do much before the nation has decided to vote for another Lok Sabha. Coming back to Goa, industry insiders tell me that they are hopeful of ‘legal’ mining resuming. Their hopes are pinned on the fact that the Supreme Court has agreed to give a lengthy hearing to what seems like Goa’s primal economic matter. Many will be praying to Lord Ganesh for mining to resume. Gems of bizdom In the course of my journey with this magazine, www.facebook.com/businessgoa
06 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
hbhatkuly@gmail.com
I have been lucky enough to find myself to meet some very interesting people. Entrepreneurs are by their very nature, interesting. There is never a dull moment when you are surrounded by entrepreneurs. The one word that all entrepreneurs would in some or the other way, identify with is “possibilities”. They believe that there is an answer to every challenge. Many feed themselves generous diets of self-motivation. Others rely on peers, often competitors, with whom they strike friendships to talk shop and even seek advice from! A hardboiled entrepreneur looks at any business challenge as a mind game. So imagine the joy that I get when I am in a room packed with 10 entrepreneurs – all from diverse fields and who have come together to create an eco-system that will create a buzz around business. I am talking about an organization called GEMS. The Goa Entrepreneurs Mentoring Services Trust (GEMS) is a non-profit organization and a brainwave of Rajkumar Kamat. He has gathered a motley crew of equally enthusiastic fellows who wish that the GenNext of Goa’s business spectrum receive the advantage of the generation that slogged their rearsides to achieve business success. The idea that GEMS has at its core, is to bring about a mentor-mentee relationship. In mature economies like Japan, it is an accepted practise to have a sempai-kohai workteam; wherein the kohai (a youngster) gets to work with a Sempai (a senior) and absorb the finer aspects of business. GEMS will bring together a clutch of committed mentors who have pledged their time, acumen and advisory support to a bunch of youngsters – first generation businesspersons – whom they will guide from time to time in their entrepreneurial voyage. Of course, there is a timeframe within which this relationship will operate. But the good news is that there is an organization here that goes beyond giving lip service to their mission statement. Read more about their maiden event on Page 48. I take this opportunity to wish all our readers and well-wishers, a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and a great harvest season www.twitter.com/businessgoa
MPT’s Sea Marine Project in rough waters
corpo scan
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is keen to diversify its marine-oriented leisure tourism, which includes creating berthing facilities for transoceanic cruise-liners and marinas for smaller vessels to park in secure coastal bays. The marina project at Sancoale, located in close vicinity of the port has seen objections from the fishing community who claim it will endanger marine lives and their livelihood, too. The state government has already opposed two floating hotels in the bay, being planned by MPT.
Award winning Incubatees felicitated by CIBA
A felicitation function of the Incubatees at the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration, (CIBA) who have won Awards, was held recently at Verna. J M Noronha, CEO in his welcome address introduced the award winners Amarsh Chaturvedi (Transerve Technologies Pvt Ltd) Orlando Fernandes (Energy XNS) Oscar Nazareth (Armada) and Raghunath Lohar (Kruti
Industries) and spoke about the graduation of the Agnel Entrepreneurship Development Institute which started in 2000 to the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration, a Technology Business Incubator, funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Goa. In a span of 16 months, CIBA
has been able to make a mark with 4 awards to its incubatees and by having 10 innovative startups. He also mentioned that CIBA is the 52nd Technology Business Incubator (TBI) in the country and added that India has to still have more TBIs as there are about 750 TBIs in USA, about 1000 in China and about 500 in Korea. He stressed that the facility is for Engineering graduates or other people to come in and work and urged the academic faculties to send their students so that they can work with their projects and innovative ideas and also stress on the institute’s focus on grass root innovation. Four companies from CIBA have won international laurels for the year 2013. Fr Alfredo Almeida was also felicitated during the function for leading the team on innovation at CIBA
Falling rupee is music to tourism industry’s ears While the depreciating rupee is ringing alarm bells across sectors in the country, the tourism industry in Goa seems to be in a joyous mood. “It will be a great initiative to strike the foreign market now in order to capitalize on the opportunity of overseas customer influx,” said, Goa Marriott Resort General Manager, Ranju Alex. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Francisco Braganca, a hotel
owner himself, said that charter operators must make the change. “Devaluation of the rupee will have a positive effect on tourism. The charter pricing of hotels to European charter operators are fixed one year in advance and is mostly in rupees. The devaluation of the rupee against the euro and the pound has made holidays cheaper for European tourists. This benefit needs to be passed on by the charter companies to their customers. Up to now, they
have not done so. Most probably they will give discounts closer to the beginning of the season” he said. Stakeholders’ eyes are focused not just on the West, but at India. The Goa market has seen a surge in domestic tourism in the recent past and that will continue irrespective of the dollar value. There will be a boost in inward travel which will be a ripple effect of the fact that people will avoid travelling abroad
Govt permits CoP to start coal imports from Panaji Port The Captain of Ports has received government permission for importing coal from the Panaji Port, which is expected to commence operations post monsoons. Three private jetties along the river Mandovi have been identified for imports to land, with logistics being put in place for transportation to start. CoP’s Capt. James Braganza said that private jetties identified belong to Damodar Mangaljee, Anil Counto and Bandodkar and Sons and are located along the Mandovi in Kothambi village, Bicholim. He said that the plan is to use barges to transport coal to the jetty from where they will travel by road to user companies. The unloading of coal from ship to barges, however, will have to be in mid-sea where ships are anchored. To shore up plummeting revenues thanks to mining closure, the CoP in May had first put forward the idea of coal imports. However, the proposal was kept aside because of objections from villagers around the jetty on account of air pollution. Capt. Braganza said that the residents’ resistance is overcome and companies are welcome to utilise the facility. The rates of Panaji port, he said, is at least 40 per cent cheaper than MPT from where imports were previously taking place
Supreme Court agrees for full hearing of Goa mining matter
The Goa Mining matter received a much needed boost with the Supreme Court agreeing to a full hearing in response to an application. The case is most likely to come up for hearing in September or October. The Supreme Court permission is significant as it indicates a slight 08 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
speeding up of things as well as yield to previously held resolute stand. The SC decision came after Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi representing a Goa mining firm moved an application before the Chief Justice. In the application it was pointed out that although the SC ban on mining was imposed in October 2012, not even one sitting of it had come up before the Apex Court. Further, the application also asked for continuous hearings as a single one would be inadequate considering the magnitude of
the case. In August, the SC forest bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had recused itself from hearing the Goa mining case, which was a big setback for mining resumption. Justice Thakur ordered that a new bench be formed. Earlier, the SC had said that the Goa government had not yet given a full reply to the report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The Committee had asked for details about the distance of the mines from boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries. Subsequently, on
August 19 the Goa government submitted details of 92 mining leases out of 118 leases surveyed. As per the details there are 49 mines which are within the 10-km distance from wildlife sanctuaries. Mining in Goa came to a halt after the Shah Commission pegged Goa’s mining scam at Rs.35,000 crore due to rampant illegal mining. The subsequent closure has resulted in scores of job loss to people employed in mining firms and operators of barges, trucks and mining equipment
Amul fresh milk launched in Goa
corpo scan
The Rs 19,000 crore Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, which markets its products under the brand Amul, has launched fresh milk in Goa. Amul is already marketing almost 90 lakh liters of fresh milk all over India, in major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and 30 other cities. With 20 registered distributors and more than 1000 retailers covering almost every city of Goa, it is being ensured that Amul Milk is easily available to the consumers of Goa.
Now, 3-year licences for beach shacks Fulfilling a long-pending demand of beach shack owners in Goa, the cabinet recently, approved a policy to grant shack licences for a period of three years from 2013 till 2016. The policy allows 240 shacks in North Goa and 107 in South Goa. Experience is the main criterion in allotment with persons having experience of seven years and more to get 60% of the allotments. Persons with experience of between four to six years will get 20% of the allotments; those with experience
between one and three years will get 10% allotments. The balance 10% will be given to newcomers through draw of lots. The policy makes it compulsory for shack owners to install CCTVs in their shacks. The footage must be preserved for at least 30 days and be given to police or the tourism department officials on demand. The policy also bars foreign nationals from working in shacks even if they have business visas. Every shack must install
an eco-friendly, portable toilet like chemical mobile toilet with inbuilt proper sewage collection and disposal facility. The toilet waste shall not be let out on beach area. Those violating the provisions of the policy can attract imprisonment of not less than 3 months that may extend to three years or fine of up to 5,000
European leather brand Karlsson launched in Goa
Karlsson, the fine European Leather brand, is brought to Goa by Raj Lifestyle. As an authentic bespoke-leather-boutique Karlsson has met resounding success in Bangalore. In its second store in India, Karlsson will be delivering leather custom designed sofas and recliners with superb
quality, handmade craftsmanship and impeccable service. The success of this brand can be measured by the long list of clients that include the likes of Dr.Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher, Suresh Gopi of Cine Star and many more. The Karlsson franchisee, Raj Lifestyles was inaugurated on 15th August, at the hands of the Chief Guest Dr. Deelip Vernekar. Raj Lifestyles is the second venture of two ambitious brothers Raghuvir and Anand Lotlikar who are also the owners
of Raj Jewellers, Margao. The start of the event was marked by a curtain raiser followed by the cutting of the ribbon at the hands of the Chief Guest, Dr. Deelip Vernekar. Sajith Unni and Heads of the Lotlikar family also joined in lighting the ceremonial lamp after which the store was declared open for the customers. Sajith Unni, Director of Karlsson India is enthusiastic about Goa because of its European influence on architecture and home interiors. The invitees congratulated the Lotlikar family on their new venture and wished them success
Goa Mining People’s Front hold morcha at Panaji The Goa Mining People’s Front held a morcha recently in the city which was attended by over five thousand mining affected individuals. Truck owners, barge owners, machinery operators and others involved in ancillary activity participated in the meeting. Cutting across party lines, political leaders including Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Opposition Leader Pratapsingh Rane shared the dais and resolved to push for immediate resumption of legal mining in Goa. All mining activity has been halted in the state by a Supreme Court directive since October 2012. Former and sitting legislators from the 10 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
BJP, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party extended their support to ‘legal mining’ and appealed to the Supreme Court and Centre to help resolve the crisis in Goa emanating out of the mining scam nailed by the Parrikar-led Public Accounts Committee and subsequently by the MB Shah Commission. Independent legislators also made their presence felt at the meeting. While the Chief Minister termed the Supreme Court decision to ban mining activity in Goa as an “injustice” towards the people, the Opposition leader termed the ban “wrong”. Both leaders claimed that the mining situation in Goa is not similar to that of Karnataka and
hence the solution cannot be the same. The meeting saw political as well as GMPF leaders targeting the Union government, Supreme Court and environmental activists for the current mining crisis in the state. “How can the Supreme Court take such a big decision without hearing the state or central government? This is nothing but injustice,” Parrikar commented. He also announced that if the Supreme Court does not lift its ban by September 30, the schemes offered to miningdependent people would be extended by another six months. GMPF has threatened to intensify the agitation if mining does not resume within 15 days after Ganesh Chathurti
or both. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the policy was finalized after discussions with all coastal MLAs who have given their consent to it
Goa no longer among top 20 tourist locales Much as Goa is touted as the number one tourist destination, the state has fallen from grace among both domestic and foreign tourists, with the state not figuring anywhere among the top 20 states in India for growth in domestic tourist arrivals. It has also fallen from the list of top 10 destinations attracting foreign tourists. Data released by the Union Tourism Ministry shows that Goa is struggling to keep pace with India’s tourism boom, with the industry here growing by merely 0 to 1 percent overall in the last five years. The slowdown is attributed to the emergence of other attractive destinations within the country and across the globe. Union Ministry data indicates that inspite of attractive packages from the hospitality industry, domestic footfalls in Goa have grown by a dismal 0.08 per cent overall over the five years from 2007 as against the growth witnessed by most other States. While this was not good news for Goa Tourism, the State’s Tourism Ministry categorically said that it is not perturbed by the numbers game as it does not reflect reality. “Goa is a small state with a 15 lakh population and has a tourist arrival count which is double the size of the state’s population which no other state in the country can boast of,” Tourism Director Nikhil Desai said
COVER STORY
GOA investment policy 2013
50000 Jobs? 25k Crore Investments? G oa may have the fame and fortune of being a tourist destination but it may soon be on the wish list for investors and industrialists, not only as a place to unwind but also to invest in business. The recently released draft of the Goa Investment Policy 2013 has aimed for the same. Drafted by a Government Appointed Committee of eleven individuals from diverse walks of life, including tourism, I.T, industry, education and the like, the policy has taken into consideration the vast spread of industrial activities across the state. The Committee headed by Atul Pai Kane has, through this draft Investment Policy, aimed to “Generate 50,000 jobs over the next five years by attracting Rs.25,000 crore investments”. The draft policy, which took about four months to formulate after the Core Committee gathered information and suggestions from the various industries has been released on August 14. Over the last two decades, Goa has been gaining ground as a commercial and industrial state with its special income tax status and sales tax holiday. With the existing 20 industrial estates and about 4000 operating industrial units, the industrial scenario of the state is due for
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an added boost with the various recommendations in the draft Goa Investment Policy. The Government of Goa seems to have understood the need to have a more investor friendly scenario, as the report states, the State has high potential due to the availability of a combination of port, rail, road and airport for efficient logistics, an educated population, reliable and economical power supply and plentiful water resources along with an excellent lifestyle and availability of social infrastructure. Tapping this potential and these resources, the Committee has thus tried to draft a positive and progressive Investment Policy for Goa. The Committee took into account opinions from various sectors, calling upon individuals, and asking them to make presentations, including the representatives of various trade associations and labour unions, even MLAs who have plans to develop their constituencies. “Ultimately, although a plan is put into place, the local bodies, councillors, Panchayats, Ministers and MLAs are the ones who either object or take it forward. We had to keep in mind all their needs as well, for what we have planned may not be the same as what they have
www.businessgoa.in
The recently released draft of the Goa Investment Policy 2013 aims at making the state investment friendly and robust – all in 5 years, writes Janice Rodrigues
in mind. They could identify their own needs better than what we did. The same with the associations, and unions,” said Committee member Atul Jadhav, about the process of planning. After meetings with the Labour Commissioner and Factory Inspectorate to discuss the various changes in the Acts revolving labour in the state, the Committee has even put forward the various recommendations in favour of changing certain labour laws of the state. “For example, women aren’t allowed to work in the night shift at pharmaceuticals, but the production systems requires them to work even in the night, with other given facilities including transportation, ladies hostels etc, we have suggested those changes as well,” says Jadhav. The Committee members being from varied backgrounds have tried to incorporate the areas of their expertise in the formulation of the policy, like that of Girish Bharne who represented the IT sector, “I was there from the IT side which is one of the major thrust areas along with pharmaceuticals. For the IT sector, we have been trying to enable a variety of policies including the provision of employment training certifications, setting up of plug
and play stations etc, that would help the industry to prosper,” says Bharne. After gathering the information, the Committee had to conduct a detailed study of each and every sector and mull over the suggestions, trying to bring about a policy that was balanced and impartial, “Each one had his own suggestions, but we couldn’t give everything a positive answer. Suppose we have a piece of land, and we want to put it to use; whether we use it for the storage of goods, or install chemical tanks or put up a IT hub there, we have to decide what is in the best interest of everyone,” explains Jadhav about the various dilemmas faced by the Committee. One of the objectives stated in the report is that of setting up an Investment Promotion Board (IPB) and bringing clarity to roles and responsibilities of Goa Industrial Development Corporation, Economic Development Corporation of Goa, Directorate of Industries, Trade & Commerce, GEDC and Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Elaborating this point, another Committee member, Gautam Verlekar said, “Our aim was a two pronged approach, one to make industrial investment as transparent and
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industrialist-friendly as possible, and secondly the automation of the process of application, through the removal of intermediaries. We have aimed for a Board that will function continuously, regardless of which government is in power.” “We are only of the opinion that big projects should go through the IPB, as we don’t want the entrepreneur to lose patience while running around from department to department for the various clearances,” says Jadhav. Accordingly, to this draft policy, the Committee has suggested that the Government appoint Nodal Officers to handle the whole functioning, not on behalf of the Government but as a representative of the investors. This would ensure a faster and smoother process. “Some of the officers already present in the DITC can be made nodal officers, we don’t have to hire someone new,” says Jadhav. The IPB has been proposed to ensure that the money is handled properly and that it will guarantee profits, “Our aim is to create jobs but also to make money at the same time. An investor cannot create jobs if there is no money coming in,” adds Verlekar about the vicious circle of investments and profits. The Committee has put forward the draft to the Government and one has to see as to how to the suggestions are implemented and laws are created to support industrial growth in the state. “The Government will have to give an opportunity for everyone, because once you build something in a place, you can’t have the local villages opposing it and then raze the structure to the ground, we have to think about what is in the best interest of the larger population,” says Jadav, perhaps hinting at what happened to the proposed IT park at Dona Paula. Though there has been negative feedback about the policy neglecting the existing industries and infrastructure, the committee defends itself saying
that there have been provisions put up to better their conditions. “Today we are running the State with the existing industry, we have to give them a chance to expand and they require additional power, so we have tried to include that as well,” says Jadhav. In this light, Jadhav, being the President of Goa Barge Owners’ Association gives the example of converting the barges lying idle. “Barges are idle, and once a Goa Maritime Board is formed, we can convert them into coastal carriers, as there is a lot of scope for transportation via the sea. If we use the barges, transportation costs also are reduced as compared to internal road transportation as one barge can accommodate what approximately 200 trucks carry. This means lowering diesel usage as well as the chances of road accidents which is negated in the case of the barges. We can use the barges to bring in cargo from other states, including food grains and other amenities,” explains Jadhav. Speaking to a few professionals in the field who have had the opportunity to go through the policy, there has been a varied response. Though almost every one gave the Committee a pat on their back for their efforts in bringing out a Policy covering a wide arena of industries, there have been suggestions that these industry specialists feel could still be incorporated in the Policy. Verna Industrial Estate Association’s President, Prashant Shinde was of the opinion that the policy is a very nice one which even gives micro industries a boost, “I feel there is a need to give incentives for smaller industries in villages. Trades like carpentry and welding workshops that are very local,” said Shinde. Sandeep Sood, Managing Committee Member of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), also was all praise for the Committee’s efforts to bring out a Draft Policy in a restricted time frame, “By and
The Committee has put forward the draft to the Government and one has to see as to how to the suggestions are implemented and laws are created to support industrial growth in the state
large is it a very good job done with the framing of this Policy, the Committee has taken care of every aspect of the industrial scenario,” Sood says. On the other hand, Trade Unionist Ajit Singh Rane was not very happy with the Draft Policy, as he feels that the Policy has not taken into consideration the existing industries, “The Investment Policy has been drafted without taking into consideration the needs of the future. Those who have drafted the Policy have completely ignored the mess that industries are currently in. What we as a Trade Union have noticed is in the name of the Investment/Industrial Policy, they have created various opportunities for partnerships and investments which is nothing more than a way of allowing outsiders to enter the state and take over the industries. What will happen to locals then?” This was the question that he posed to the Committee, when asked for his opinion on the draft. Though both, Shinde and Sood, were very positive about the Draft Policy, they did have a few suggestions that could have been incorporated in the draft; the infrastructure and transportation scenario are some such suggestions. “Infrastructure is a key point in development; the projects that have been planned seem to be more of short term benefits rather than long term,” says Sood. He then gave an example of the transportation of goods from Verna to Mormugao
Port, “The hazard of having trucks pass via Vasco city is just too dangerous, the fast tracking of the project to transport the goods via an alternate means has to be done. Also the Zuari Bridge which is the lifeline connecting North Goa to South Goa has to be given more attention, these may seem trivial but they are complex and pivotal issues and need to be looked into for long term benefits,” he added. Sood was also of the opinion that the efforts of the people in getting sanctions from the Centre for double tracking of the railways was totally negated, saying, “though there will be a sacrifice that has to be made on the part of the people of the villages, there is no doubt that we are in need of a double tracked railway line at least to the Port Town.” Shinde states the need for a railway line to the Verna Industrial Estate. “There should be one railway dedicated to the industrial goods, and the waterways of the state which have a high potential and should be tapped on the lines of what China has done,” adds Shinde. Sood also supported the statement that our marine transportation needs to be refurbished, “We have a beautiful natural port in the Mormugao Port and I think we should be able to tap the resources there. If we don’t have world class infrastructure, we won’t get world class economy,” Sood argues. Speaking on the various SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 13
COVER STORY
The Committee took into account opinions from various sectors, calling upon individuals, and asking them to make presentations, including the representatives of the various associations and unions, even MLAs who have plans to develop their constituencies
other aspects of the policy, Sood was seemingly happy about the setting up of the Investment Promotion Board, “for the proposition of the investment board I’d give the Committee full marks,” he exclaimed. But on the other hand, Shinde was of the opinion that the suggested Board runs on the similar lines of the HPCC and that there is a need for a system that ensures a faster and smoother setting up of industries. He elaborates further: “to clear the process of setting up one big industry, it takes about four months currently. We need a faster administration that ensures clearance within two months. The IPB approval should also encompass approvals from everyone from Pollution Control to local governing bodies. Once the IPB approves the project, nobody should have the right to oppose the setting up of that industry. And the government should side up the industries if need arises.” Shinde wasn’t too pleased with the idea that the Government will increase the FAR to 2% for pharmaceutical and knowledge based industries and 1.5% for all other industrial units. He is of the opinion that the FAR for the IT industry should be 200% instead of the proposed 300% as “IT is an industry that will grow vertically whereas all other industries grow horizontally.” The crunch for space in today’s time is something that needs to be kept in mind while designing policies that are aimed for long term benefit, “We have to think in the long term, for the next 25 years; space is a commodity that cannot be created. The scenario is like that of building a structure. If you lay a foundation for a building that is aimed for just one floor, we cannot afford to demolish it and build a new edifice. Better that we lay our foundations so deep, that in future we can be able to build higher structures,” says Shinde. “We have to look at grass root problems and not at short term goals. If we have 14 Business Goa
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everything functioning smoothly and effortlessly, we don’t have to renew policies to attract potential investors, the market forces itself will bring them here,” says Sood. While the Draft Policy has been submitted to the Government, the ball is truly in their court. The industry forces wait for approval of any of the suggestions to the Draft Investment Policy 2013. Meanwhile, here are a few pointers the draft mentions under its thrust areas: Knowledge based industry, R&D Centers and financial services: The Draft Policy aims at making the state a favourable destination for the setting up of: • Research & development in the areas such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, engineering and product development. • Outsourced activities in the areas of legal outsourcing, engineering outsourcing, medical outsourcing and other similar knowledge-based outsourcing. • Equity research, business & market research, design services, consultancy, animation. • Information Technology (IT), Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) units. This includes IT software, IT services and IT enabled Services / Animation & Gaming/Digital Entertainment and IT Engineering Services companies. • Financial services. • Any other activity where the key business of the entity is obtaining and using specialized knowledge to provide high quality and valuable output. Pharmaceuticals & Bio-technology To ensure a positive impact on the investment climate for pharmaceuticals & biotechnology companies, the Policy states: • The planned revamp of type of courses and syllabi offered in Colleges in Goa includes starting M.Pharm in Pharmaceuticals and other courses to meet the needs expressed by Industry players.
One of the objectives stated in the Draft Policy is that of setting up an Investment Promotion Board and bringing clarity to roles and responsibilities of Goa IDC, EDC, DITC,GEDC and GTDC • A Biotechnology Policy to be brought out for Goa shortly. Integrated Educational Hubs To encourage setting up of integrated educational hubs, the Policy states the following initiatives to be implemented: • Encourage Integrated Educational Hubs offering a variety of high-quality courses from K-12 to advanced postgraduate courses. • Support institutions of global repute interested in setting up satellite stand-alone campuses in Goa. Tourism Increasing its focus on high spending tourists with a potential to significantly impact the state economy and provide employment, the Draft Policy welcomes investment in highend tourism products including, the following: • Tourism hubs like oceanariums, theme parks, shopping malls, food & beverage outlets, entertainment centers, handicraft centres. • Convention centers. • High-end water sports and adventure sports. • Marinas and hinterland river cruise tourism. • Heritage tourism & home stays in heritage houses. On the other hand, the government is looking at the next big boom in tourism – medical tourism. Towards that aim, the draft suggests implementing the
following: • Encourage large healthcare facilities to set up hospitals in Goa to meet the needs of the increasing medical tourists. • Mandatory registration with the Directorate of Health Services and the Goa Medical Council for facilities offering medical tourism to be introduced. • Setting up a web portal with details of each healthcare facility, procedures offered and rate card. The portal is to assist in putting patients in touch with doctors or facilities which they are interested in. • Government authorities to participate in national and international conferences promoting medical tourism. • Wellness facilities and alternative systems of medicine will also be encouraged through existing channels of the Tourism Department, Government of Goa. Light engineering To promote the light engineering industry, the Draft Policy has suggested several enabling interventions: • Revamp the courses offered and syllabi at the ITIs and Polytechnic in Goa, in consultation with industry. Setting up of a sub-committee to the proposed Education Task Force, made up of industry players and officials in the relevant Government Departments to evaluate existing courses and make recommendations on change in syllabi and introduction of new courses. Develop a framework to ensure adequate industrial training for all ITI and Polytechnic students. • Setting up a ‘Light Engineering Industrial Estate’ for MSMEs. Infrastructure of sheds, power and water supply and GBBN to be made available to each shed; • Creation of a logistics hub including warehousing, container depot, cold storage facilities and linkage to port, road and rail infrastructure. Aviation, Aerospace and Defence In order to promote the aviation
COVER STORY
The Investment Promotion Board would be assisted by a Satellite Expert Consultant. The SEC would be a reputed external agency which would evaluate the investment proposals based on pre-determined evaluation criteria
Information Technology (IT) Hardware and Electronics To promote the IT industry the Draft Policy suggests the: • Setting up of an IT Hardware and Electronics Park to encourage non-hazardous IT hardware and electronics manufacturing. Agro-based and food processing industries To further the growth of this industry, the Policy envisages: • Implementation of various schemes for agricultural promotion including schemes for new agriculturists as well as for usage of modern techniques to increase yield and quality. • To create an enabling environment conducive to attracting investment in agrobased industry to accelerate the revival of agricultural production and animal husbandry activities, provide remunerative price to the farmers, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas. • Environmentally friendly processing of agro-products that add value to the agricultural, fish and animal husbandry produce and opening up the export potential of the produce are also being encouraged. • Setting up cold chain facilities in the planned logistics hubs
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www.businessgoa.in 16 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
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he Government of Goa will make the process of investment simple and quick through a transparent InvestorGovernment interface. This will be achieved through: 1. Setting up an Investment Promotion Board The Government of Goa proposes to set up an Investment Promotion Board as the nodal authority for all investments in Goa. The Board would provide and/or facilitate approvals from the Government of Goa and its entities. The Board would also provide assistance in obtaining clearances from the Central Government or its entities. The role of the Investment Promotion Board will include: a. Review (approval/rejection) all investment proposals; b. Draft approval process, guidelines and standard operating procedures for new investments. Reviewing and modifying these processes on an ongoing basis; c. Appoint and manage the satellite expert consultant; d. Facilitate approvals for investors to set up their units in Goa; e. Promote Goa as an investment destination nationally and internationally; f. Provide feedback and suggest interventions to the Government of Goa on investment climate and policy and regulatory environment on an ongoing basis; g. Identify infrastructure gaps hindering investment growth in Goa on an ongoing basis and suggesting short, medium and long-term rolling plans to the Government to bridge the gaps; h. Provide dispute and grievance redressal for investors. The Investment Promotion Board will be a fully empowered statutory entity with budgetary provisions, headed by a fulltime CEO and supported by a dedicated team. The Board will be non-executive and include 9 members from industry, the Chief Minister of Goa as Chairperson of the Board, and the Industries Minister and the Tourism Minister as Joint Vice-Chairpersons. The Board will meet on a fortnightly
Setting up of an Investment Promotion Board (IPB) will be the lynchpin on which the mechanism to bring in the requisite changes, will hang on basis. 2. Satellite expert consultant (SEC) The Investment Promotion Board would be assisted by a Satellite Expert Consultant. The SEC would be a reputed external agency which would evaluate the investment proposals based on pre-determined evaluation criteria. Based on these criteria, the consultant would make recommendations on each proposal to the Investment Promotion Board, for approval or rejection. 3. Appointment of Nodal Officer All projects approved by the Investment Promotion Board would be assigned a Nodal Officer. The Nodal Officer will: a. Assist the investor in obtaining clearances in a timely manner; b. Facilitate all statutory clearances required, including the Consent to Operate; c. Be responsible and accountable to the Investment Promotion Board for realization of the approved investment within a time-bound manner. 4. The Government of Goa envisages providing all licensing, depending on technical limitations, for a maximum possible validity. 5. The Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce will be integrated with the Investment
Goa Investment Policy Draft page 10
sector, the Draft Policy suggests the following initiatives: • Introduction of courses on aviation, aerospace and defence in the educational institutions in Goa. • Construction of private terminals/jetties as well as improvement of infrastructure at existing jetties which can be utilized by the units for import of raw material and export of finished goods. • Logistics hub including warehousing, container depot, cold storage facilities and linkage to port, road and rail infrastructure.
Promotion Board. 6. The Goa Industrial Development Corporation will be integrated with the Investment Promotion Board. A team within the Board will be tasked with providing infrastructure facilities to the industrial estates. They would be responsible for creating the core infrastructure at the industrial estates such as water pipelines, power distribution network, optical fibers etc. Availability of water and quality power for the industrial estates will also be the responsibility of this team. 7. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Goa will continue its role of providing debt funding to ventures in Goa. Additionally, the EDC/IT Development Corporation of Goa/Goa Tourism Development Corporation will perform the role of being the single-entity for scrutinizing, approving/rejecting and disbursing all incentives for industrial units/IT units/tourism units respectively. 8. The investment application process will be IT enabled and with clear benchmarks on time to be taken for each task within the process. Actual time taken for a task would be tracked and compared against the benchmarks with a redressal mechanism triggered for instances of delay. A clear status update would be provided to the investor on the status of its application at each stage
FOCUS GOA
Despite all the predicable damage that has been done to Panaji over the past few decades, it is still in my opinion, a wonderfully liveable place with a lot of things going for it: clean IMAGINE PANAJI
An Outsider’s Two Cents on the Panaji Debate
The writer shares his views on the ‘Imagine Panaji’ Plan
Vinayak Bharne Vinayak Bharne is a city-planning and urban design consultant based in Los Angeles. He is also a joint faculty of urbanism at the Sol Price School of Public Policy and the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California. His books include ‘The Emerging Asian City’; ‘Rediscovering the Hindu Temple’; and the forthcoming ‘Zen Spaces & Neon Places’ vbharne@gmail.com
A
s someone who was raised in Panaji for twenty years, and who continues to have family in Panaji, I have been following with great interest and cheering from a distance, the many wonderful ongoing efforts towards envisioning the city’s future. I was compelled to write this piece after watching the recent debate on the Imagine Panaji initiative – the “first step towards creating a vision for the capital of Goa.” Despite all the predicable damage that has been done to Panaji over the past few decades, it is still in my opinion, a wonderfully liveable place with a lot of things going for it: clean air, a continuous street grid, a fine stock of diverse squares and parks, an inspiring traditional fabric particularly on the Altinho Hill and in Fontainhas, and to 18 Business Goa
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top it all – a scenic riverfront promenade. Recently, there have also been some truly laudable planning and activism efforts that are reaping tangible results: historic buildings and districts are being conserved and reused, annual festival celebrations are being insinuated with eco-consciousness, several streets, sidewalks, parks and promenades have been revived through innovative grass-root processes, non-motorized zone (NoMoZo) and heritage walk (Cholta Cholta) initiatives are expanding citizen awareness, and best of all, an entire new generation of Panajiites, from all walks of life, are demonstrating exceptional leadership towards real action and positive change in the city. But then, Panaji also has a lot of things not currently going for it: increasing traffic coupled with the paucity of parking space, polluted naalas flowing through the city, rampant FAR-centric development irrespective of context, mediocre architecture even in some of its most conspicuous locations, and lethargic administrative and entitlement engines. All these negatives however are hardly unique to Panaji; the syndrome of sprawl and its accompaniments in some form or the other has plagued almost every city across the world in the recent past. In this light, the idea of Imagine Panaji is both special and stereotypical. It is special because it has emerged from an evolving impetus of progressive citizens who cannot take business as usual anymore. It is special because it is instigating discussion and debate – open and public – something relatively unheard of in Goa’s post-liberation history, at least in a city-making effort. It is special because it is bringing not just architects and planners, but people from all disciplines and walks of life to opine and
deliberate – which is exactly what city-making should be about. And it is special because the general intentions of this effort thus far, as seen in the draft master plan from cycle tracks to city branding - all seem thoughtful, promising and even exciting. On the other hand, Imagine Panaji is stereotypical because like most such initiatives, it is being received and perceived with ambivalence. And why not? The debate I watched was both confusing and amusing: I was keen to hear some concrete discussion on the ideas thus far, as well as the next steps. Instead the exchanges were strangely mangled in whether or why Imagine Panaji should or should not happen. So following the debate, I dashed off more than a dozen e-mails to my friends in Panaji – architects, lawyers, activists etc. – with the same question: What do you make of all this? Most agreed Imagine Panaji was a well intentioned effort, but not a single one seemed clearly optimistic about it. Some felt it was ultimately impractical, some questioned the hiring of an international consultant that did
not understand the nuances of Panaji, some argued that what works in cities abroad would never work here, and others felt the whole thing was way too academic. None of them made any concrete suggestions or counter-arguments, but they all were consistent in their lack of optimism. It should be rather obvious that this aspect of citizen optimism is going to be the lynch-pin for this initiative’s success versus failure. If Panaji residents truly believe that there is someone out there with the answers to their city’s problems, they have been severely misled, and the sooner they understand this, the better. Clearly, Panaji like any other city has issues that need both creative, technical and policy solutions. But any planning consultant, local, national or international, no matter how eminent, would at best offer some good alternatives, but never with any guarantee. They will propose, and they will pack their bags and leave. They will never be able to please everyone. The efficacy of their ideas will be evident only after
air, a continuous street grid, a fine stock of diverse squares and parks, an inspiring traditional fabric particularly on the Altinho Hill and in Fontainhas, and to top it all a scenic riverfront promenade
they are gone, only in time, only through trial and error, and only by the people that will live them. The key therefore is not so much the ingenuity of the solutions, but the foresight behind their implementation processes, and their adaptability and malleability through unforeseen and unanticipated circumstances. Even more important is the crafting of processes that will incentivize both citizens and elected leaders to make decisions – together – on which of these ideas to take ahead versus not and assume collective responsibility for them without pointing fingers at each other. This ultimately is what democratic city planning is all about: to deliberate, to propose, to negotiate, to implement, to succeed or fall short, to build on that knowledge again – collectively – all in the quest for a better city. Good city planning is a collaborative, successional process, never the wave of an
expert’s magic wand. For all its distinctions, Panaji is not special. Like any city, it is an event in time. Like any democratic city, the framework for its future should emerge through a complex negotiating act between the people that make decisions, private interests and public good. Like any city, there will be no clear-cut answers to its most pressing problems, whether we choose to import solutions from other places, or claim to invent them on our own. Like any city, Panaji’s civic pride will not emerge from architecture and master plans, but from the track record of such initiatives. Compared to other small Indian cities, Panaji already appears to be yards ahead. There are fewer truly gripping issues – such as colossal poverty, large informal economies, deep social injustice etc. – to grapple with. This is precisely why something like Imagine Panaji can actually afford to get into issues of urban
heritage and beautification. And Panaji being compact enough, even the most modest planning investments can actually make a significant overall difference, compared to cities where small steps do not amount to much. All this is great news for Panaji! My point is that if Imagine Panaji is indeed the first step towards creating a vision for the capital of Goa, then it should be first and foremost a genuine socio-political initiative that restores citizen faith in their officials and administrators. Second, it should be an unprecedented (at least by Panaji standards) outreach effort that nurtures citizen participation – not as a formality, but as a charged responsibility – as if it was an impending election. Third, it should be a sustainable economic strategy that reaps short, middle and long-term investment returns for the city. Fourth, it should be a muddle of multi-disciplinary collaborations
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between government and citizen groups, technical consultants and residents, architects and economists, locals and outsiders, all ensuring that every decision whether on transit, development, infrastructure or regulation is an interdependent part of a larger idea. Fifth, it should be a process that is argumentative and opinionated, but constantly mediated and negotiated with the long-term goal in mind. Sixth, it should be something that everyone is proud of and inspired to be associated with. And seventh, it should be an aesthetic exercise that simply makes Panaji even more beautiful to be in and look at. The future of Panaji will not be shaped by experts, cityplanners, and architects, but by the people who live there and care about it every day. What Panajiites need right now is some optimism, some confidence, less talk and more trial-and-error action
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 19
STARTING YOUNG Bharat Kothari
Their first client came by chance. An inward delivery had to be made to the Goa Tourism office. The Director at that time was very impressed by Bharat’s services and decided to give them a try as their official courier agency SHREE TRADELINK, Franchisee of Shree maruti couriers
Prompt - Safe - Service “I am satisfied everyday just knowing that nothing has gone wrong and that we have done our job to the best of our ability” Bharat Kothari
Bharat Kothari
B
harat Kothari always wanted to work. Right from his tender teenage years, he had his heart set on entrepreneurship. Growing up in humble surroundings in Gujarat, Bharat began working for Shree Maruti Couriers when he was just sixteen. “Those six months at Shree Maruti Couriers were the only six months of my life that I worked for some one. I did it merely to gain the experience that I needed to set up my own courier company. Many people asked me the reason why I wanted to start a courier service agency. My answer was simple – the process fascinated me. The detail involved in sending and receiving parcels intrigued me and I knew it was something that I wanted to do,” he recollects. While working in Gujarat, Bharat often suggested to his Corporate Office that Shree Maruti Couriers should open a branch in Goa. His suggestions were met with scepticism as back then Goa was yet to be on the radar of a Gujarat-based logistics provider and setting
up and sustaining a business seemed tough to the principals. Bharat however, stuck his ground. After much convincing, the Board of Directors agreed to let him set an outlet in Goa and in 2003 he relocated to Goa to fulfil his dream of being an entrepreneur. “When I first came to Goa with my cousin, Gopal, we knew nothing, we did not have the contacts required to run a business nor did we have the resources to manage it. Despite initial struggles, I went ahead with my plans and set up the first outlet in Panjim. Through perseverance, we were able to sustain ourselves and slowly built up the name of Shree Maruti Courier service around Panjim,” he reveals. Bharat’s grit was rewarded with the opening of two more outlets in Margao and Vasco within their first year of operations. Cut to ten years later. Today, Shree Maruti Courier service have offices spread across the length and breadth of Goa including Porvorim, Ponda and Mapusa and are further looking to
branch out into Verna Electronic city, Kundaim Industrial estate and Bicholim. As Bharat speaks about his journey, he reveals that getting that prestigious first client was a daunting task. “My first client came to me by chance. An inward delivery had to be delivered to the Goa Tourism office. The Director at that time was very impressed by my services and decided to give us a try as their official courier agency. Since then, there has been no looking back and we are now their national service provider,” informs Bharat. He also reveals that they have a minimum of one thousand five hundred documents coming in every day and they service close to six hundred clients across the State, including Chowgule, Caculo, Fomento, Timblo, V.M Salgaocar, Cidade de Goa, Vivanta by Taj, Business Goa, Grand Hyatt, GCCI, as well as a large number of banks, insurance companies and major industries including Sanofi-Aventis. Under Bharat’s able leadership, he has built systems which ensure one hundred per cent personalized service. “When sending documents out of the State, I personally ensure that one of my employees travels along with the baggage. When accepting inward documents, we see to it that once they are picked up early in the morning, they are out for delivery by 9:30 am which ensures that we deliver your documents or parcels that very same day,” he states. Shree Maruti Courier service also follows a completely transparent policy where the customers are kept updated on the status of their deliveries. “We have also introduced an online tracking portal where customers can track their parcels right down to the exact location. We have
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20 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
Bharat Kothari reinvents the concept of courier service highlighted by his meteoric rise writes ALISHA PATEL recently launched an easy-touse Android application to make tracking of parcels easier and more convenient,” he informs. Despite Bharat’s many attempts to build a successful courier service empire, he was often met with doubt, as many of the potential clients he approached, questioned his ability to manage the business. He was barely eighteen at the time and did not even possess a PAN card. It took a lot of hard work and faith in his own abilities and Bharat managed to win clients over by convincing them to give him a chance like how he did with Goa Tourism. He worked professionally and his clients were impressed with his work. Over the course of time, the number of clients grew along with the company. “Shree Maruti Courier service is all about customer satisfaction,” says Bharat. “We always aim to be at the top of the distribution service industry through prompt, quick and reliable service, along with the best of technology through which we not only meet but exceed our customers’ requirements. At the same time he also mentions that there have been struggles along every step of way which were both personal as well as professional. He is quick to add though, that he is proud to have proved sceptics wrong that he would not be able to sustain the business in Goa. Though Bharat has already chalked out his plans for expansion within the State, on a more personal front, he feels that one should live for the moment and not worry much about the future. “I am satisfied everyday just knowing that nothing has gone wrong and that we have done our job to the best of our ability”
ENTERPRISE Prakash Solanki
The Goa store happened gradually as Prakash would regularly supply hardware material to builders for projects in Goa. He realized that Goa was a good market for hardware and took the initiative to start building his contact base here
Solitaire Hardware
Hardware is all about soft skills Prakash Solanki speaks to MONALIZA DIAS about his journey from an employee to an employer
Prakash Solanki
T
he dream of a man on a mission should never be underestimated, for he has the will to never give up. Years of hardwork result in the success of a dream. Solitaire hardware is a living example of the hardwork and years of knowledgeable experience of its founder and proprietor Prakash Solanki. He was always keen on starting his own establishment as his entire family is in business. A school dropout without prior knowledge of how a business should function, he dared to venture off on his own, and cautiously took his initial steps followed by hardwork which has gained him much success in Mumbai, coupled with the relentless amount of effort that he has been putting in the Goa store, it is bound to see success, as well. Solanki has gained his prowess after seventeen years of experience and an amassment of market knowledge. “I was working as a sales executive at a hardware store in Mumbai. It was there that I gained experience and contacts. I eventually started my own hardware store, here in Goa,” he reveals. Prakash started off in Mumbai seventeen years ago. 22 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
Solanki believes that his business has done well due to the store’s unflinching dedication to customer satisfaction. His establishment believes in transparent business, where customers are taken through in detail about the cost and quality From the very first day that he took off on his own, it has not been an easy path, as he believes he created his path through the thorns and bushes to ultimately reach his destination. He had to face a lot of struggle as Mumbai is a fiercely competitive city. So it was hard to capture and retain customers; but he never gave up and in time made a good name for himself. That’s how he managed to peak his success in Mumbai. For a man
who dreamed and worked smart to make his dream a reality, he believes only hardwork and dedication from the start have got him to where he is today. Prakash fondly recollects the opening of his first store in Santacruz, Mumbai in 2005. “I managed to bag three big deals with top notch companies like Sahara, Amby Valley (Lonavala), IBM Pune and Sayaji Hotel, Pune which saw a healthy rise in our profits and at the same time brought Solitaire Hardware to the forefront,” he says. Solanki started Solitaire Hardware as a small business and presently, the store is running the mills of success. Solanki believes this is due to the store’s unflinching dedication to customer satisfaction. He further adds that their values define them: his establishment believes in transparent business, they would rather have a business transaction where all the facts are laid out on the table than take advantage of clueless clients. “We possess integrity, we always maintain a high standard as we aim to grow and gain the trust of our clients. A strong bond has been created with our clients over years of providing them with our best. This being
the aim of the entire team, the credit of the growth of Solitaire Hardware should really go to the team who have continuously kept a positive spirit, irrespective of challenges. I honestly believe that we wouldn’t have achieved the success what we have today, without the dedicated team.” He also confidently adds, “We have attained enough knowledge in this business, which makes us good competition to rivals”, he says. Solitaire Hardware is driven by the motto of “Our today is dedicated to designing a successful tomorrow through the brand values of our company, which will pave way for our future success: Quality, Innovation, winning Customer’s faith and reliability.” They are driven to give their customers the best products and services by constantly improvising on what they have to offer. Solanki believes that success is when his customers are happy – as their happiness is his first priority. In the end, it’s the customer who creates the brand of a company. If they are content with your services and products, they would always come back to you if you manage to retain their trust. Solitaire makes it worthwhile for customers who often bag an astounding 1040% discount depending on the quantum of goods that they purchase. “Usually discounts are given to builders who buy in bulk. Although it impacts our bottom line, we believe in retaining customers and those who do business with us over long term. Our items are of a superior quality – everything from door handles to cabinets, it is perfect for every home,” states Prakash. Solitaire Hardware is conveniently designed, in an appealing and demonstrative manner so that all their customers can be given a product
Prakash feels that in Mumbai, there’s a lot of competition as there are many hardware stores and the city is already developed in infrastructure. The market is largely tuned on renovation works. Hence the scope in Mumbai is comparatively lower than in Goa, he feels demonstration. This makes it easier for the customers to get an idea of what they plan on buying. “I never deceive my clients, only the best is offered to them. I store some of the best brands such as Hafele, Yale, Hettich, Godrej and many others that I have personally approved to be sold in my stores, after checking the quality,” informs Prakash. “In Mumbai, there’s a lot of competition as there are many hardware stores and the city is already developed in infrastructure. The market is largely tuned on renovation works. Hence the scope in Mumbai is comparatively lower than in Goa. As Goa is gaining much attention from the national as well as international market and is still in the developing stage, it is a perfect place to start a hardware store and an additional plus point is that there is very less competition here. In Goa, most hardware stores do not offer a wide variety of
Well stocked store
items like our store does, we regularly try to bring something new to the market. As a store housing innovative products, we are very price-friendly. All our items are classy and convenient and everything is brought from Mumbai. It is different and something that the Goan market has never seen before,” says Prakash. He also adds that the Goa store happened gradually as he
would regularly supply hardware material to builders for their projects in Goa. He realized Goa was a good market for hardware and took the initiative to start building a contact base here. Once he had formed a strong contact base, he opened up a store which was just a few months ago. Though still in its initial stages, Solitaire has already built a list of steady clients.
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“Ever since we set up a store here in Goa, we have extensively been trying to publicize the store and its products via media. We regularly take ads in newspapers, magazines and hoardings. These marketing strategies have helped us a great deal in gaining attention from a wider section of people. Especially hoardings work well – they are right in front of your eyes and a store with rank is hard to ignore,” he adds cheekily. Prakash Solanki, the proud owner of Solitaire Hardware stores has seen his vision take form. He did not just wake up and decide to start a hardware store of his own. He achieved his success by working his way from the bottom of the rung. He concludes saying, “The stores are the product of a dream that I have strived to achieve. They are a part of me and I will always do my best to keep it alive and running”
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 23
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
chandrakant gawas
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“The blanket ban on mining took us by surprise” Vice President of Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) and Chairman of the Logistics Committee of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Chandrakant Gawas in conversation with ALISHA PATEL on Barge Owners’ woes and his views on the prevailing situation regarding the closure of mines in Goa
There are approximately three hundred and fifty barges in Goa. Out of these, a significant number have left Goa in search of better prospects in neighbouring States Chandrakant Gawas
For the past year and more, the mining industry has been hit by the ban. How difficult is it for the barge industry and what is the fallout of the ban? I would say it has been over a year and a half that barge owners have been affected. In September 2011, the Government withdrew a circular issued to the mining department to stop dumps. From then onwards, the barge industry began facing problems. Mining has taken place in Goa since the Portuguese era and no one expected a situation like this. Barge owners today face problems such as repayment of loans and debts. Interest too, accumulates day by day. Banks have begun issuing legal notices to a few barge owners, many whom have taken loans against their houses and other securities of which they face a looming threat of losing. As far as the Goa Barge Owners’ Association goes, we petitioned on behalf of the barge owners, the Government 24 Business Goa
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and banks to be sympathetic towards us and allow us time till mining resumes to clear our debts. We have already put forth a number of representations to both, the State and the Central Government as well as the Reserve Bank of India and other banks. All we have received till date are assurances and there has been no action taken that would allow us breathing space. We have heard that quite a few barge companies have left Goa. Is it true? If yes, to what extent? No. Barge companies haven’t left Goa in the sense that you are saying. There are approximately three hundred and fifty barges in Goa. Out of these, a significant number have left Goa in search of better prospects in neighbouring States. There are one hundred and ninety barge companies in Goa. There is only one company, which was owned by a person from out of the state,
who has pulled out of Goa. The rest have stayed on in Goa but have deployed their barges to other parts of the country to make ends meet. However, I do count on them returning back to Goa once mining resumes. The Government has given support packages to truck owners. Have they extended similar support to barge owners? If so, how much? If not, will you be lobbying with the Government for packages? Though the Government has not extended similar support packages as they have done with truck owners, they have given us numerous assurances that they will look into our problems. The Government has also directed banks not to take drastic measures against outstanding payments from barge owners. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar too, has assured us that he will take up our case with the Reserve
Bank of India. When we first approached the Chief Minister, he formed a committee headed by Power Minister Milind Naik, GBOA President, Atul Jadhav, Curchorem MLA, Nilesh Cabral and Captain of Ports, Capt. James Braganza to look into our woes. Despite our current situation, I strongly believe that the Chief Minister is doing everything that he can to minimize mining losses. When he took over as Chief Minister, he predicted revenues of Rs. 900 crores from the mining industry, and is trying his level best to resume legal mining. Are you being supported by any of the mining companies whom you operated for? Yes they are. They have stayed by us throughout this time of crisis. We began our businesses only because of them. I have taken a look at the Shah Commission Report and analyzed the situation and I feel that Government authorities have not carried out registration and other processes properly. So it would be wrong to blame mine owners for the current situation. Mine owners are the sole reasons for our existence. They have been with us in the past and they are with us now and they will continue to be with us in the future. Which companies have been at the forefront of empathizing with your cause and what has been the support? I can’t name companies, but there have been some whom we have provided services to. They offer us moral support and support when we approach the Government. The barge owners petitioned the Government in Delhi by holding dharnas and meetings. Did the measures work? Definitely. We were a delegation of one thousand five hundred people that held a dharna in
Chandrakant Gawas’ personal views on the mining ban is that the industry has been misrepresented. He says, “If you take a look at the statistics, for the last seven years, the demand grew because of China’s requirements for iron ore”
Barges waiting to set sail
New Delhi at the Jantar Mantar. Despite hardships, we still made it to Delhi to argue our case. The dharna was well received by leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition. We have tried our best to reach out to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and UPA Chief, Sonia Gandhi. The response from them has been encouraging, but nothing solid has been
formulated, yet. No one knows when mining will resume in Goa, but even if it does, benefits like waived interest and other similar help would be beneficial and much appreciated. As per recent reports around fifty mines can resume mining activities. What are your views on this report? This is proof that the Government is serious about resuming mining
“Barge owners today face problems such as repayment of loans and other debts. Interest too is building up day by day. Banks have begun issuing legal notices to a few barge owners, many of whom have taken loans against their houses and other securities, of which they face a looming threat of losing” in the State and has already completed all procedures, investigations and renewals of licenses. These companies can now resume mining immediately.
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The Government too, is ready. This statement issued should not be misinterpreted as a suggestion that mining is going to resume immediately, as the matter is sub-judice. The Government has kept everything in place to resume mining immediately after the Supreme Court lifts the ban. My personal views on the ban are that the industry has been misrepresented. If you take a look at the statistics, for the last seven years the demand grew because of China’s requirements for iron ore. None of the mining associates invested in other businesses because we were confident of the growth in this industry. No one could have predicted that mining would come to a halt the way it has. We should have been given a warning or some time to prepare ourselves and find alternate sources of income
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 25
INDUSTRY
The process of manufacturing this eco-friendly packaging is completed in these few steps, thus producing nearly 5000 pieces per shift. Once they are dried they are packed in stacks and then sent to the clients
Venturing into the Green Zone Turning ‘waste into wealth’ may seem like a craft assignment, but here is one man who has turned this idiom into a commercially viable business. JANICE RODRIGUES talks to Ajay Gramopadhye about his green venture
W
hen you unpack the new washing machine that you have purchased, or the new fan that you have installed, you might have often faced the dilemma of where and how to get rid of the load of thermocol packing that comes along with it. Knowing thermocol can’t be burnt, it often ends up in dump yards, left to disintegrate. Wouldn’t it be much better if you had packaging material that was biodegradable? That would surely give your ecoconscious minds a rest, right? To beat the pollution that comes along with the rising amounts of thermocol in the state, one man decided to set out on a journey to replace it with biodegradable packing. Thus, Ajay Gramopadhye’s, The Sustainable Green Company was set up, with the sole aim of eradicating thermocol as a packaging material and making the state’s environment a little more pollutant-free. The Sustainable Green Company has been making packaging for industrial and other purposes for over a year. Using huge waste boxes and newspapers as their only raw material, the company set out to revolutionize the idea of industrial packaging. With his office in Ponda and the factory set in the tiny, picturesque village of Betqui, near Marcel, Ajay began production at his factory, on World Environment Day last year. The manufacturing process of this company is simple, that of pulping, and then moulding. The process uses huge amounts of waste cardboard boxes and newspapers to make a pulp in a machine called the pulper. “The boxes are weighed with tapes, removed and put into the pulper with water and a small amount of newspaper. This is converted into a brown coloured pulp, which is then passed through a 26 Business Goa
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Eco-friendly packaging
mesh to remove all the pins. The slurry is what goes on to the next processing step,” explains Ajay. The next process is that of setting the pulp into moulds for the desired shapes, using machinery. The pulp is sent to another machine where moulds dip into the pulp and via a vacuum suction, the excess water is pulled out. Only the pulp remains, taking the shape of the mould. “The moulded pulp is then either dried out in the sun or put into a dryer to harden,” says Ajay. The process of manufacturing this eco-friendly packaging is completed in these few steps, thus producing nearly five thousand pieces per shift. Once dried, they are packed in stacks and then sent to the clients. The company tries to follow as many eco-friendly processes as possible; Recycling the water collected from the vacuum suction, rain water harvesting and using solar energy for drying purposes. The dryer is used only during the rainy season,” adds Ajay. Ajay’s tryst with the environment began since his college days in the 1980s, when he was involved with activities
of the World Wildlife Fund, and later, working with them. Armed with a degree in environmental education from the UK, and specialising in negotiations to incorporate environmental education in the syllabus, Ajay started working with the WWF, where he stayed on for ten years. “In 1998, after my father expired, I joined the family printing business. It was something very different from what I had studied, so the next ten years were spent in learning and expanding that business, after which I got bored, as it was not my passion,” recollects Ajay. Since the family business involved printing labels, when one of Ajay’s clients, Crompton’s, went in for an ISO 14000 certification, his printing press printed all of their documentation. He noticed that
they had managed to get their certification for environmental clearance, while they were still using thermocol to pack their products. “I spoke to the man handling the documentation, when I suggested eco-friendly packaging. He took me for a meeting where the Group Head told me to develop an ecofriendly packaging in six months. Since I had studied about it in the UK, I took up the project,” says Ajay. After picking up some samples from the market, like the apple trays and cartridge packing for the toners, Ajay set out to develop packaging according to Compton’s needs. “I took models of their fans and made a prototype out of paper mache instead of paper moulding, which is currently used,” explains Ajay. “After the company gave it a go, it took me two and half years to set up.” “In the meantime, I did some research and found out about the machines and the raw material,” says Ajay. His major concern was the source of his raw materials as he aimed to produce about two and a half lakh tonnes a month. After locating a site where discarded cardboard boxes are dumped, he spoke to the collector who told him about the weight and availability. “I told him that I would require about 3040 tonnes a month and I asked if he would be able to manage, he said that he did about 50 tonnes a day, so I was relieved,” says Ajay with a smile. After presenting it to
To beat the pollution that comes along with the rising amounts of thermocol in the state, one man, Ajay Gramopadhye, decided to set out on a journey of replacing it with biodegradable packaging Ajay Gramopadhye The Sustainable Green Company
Workforce has not proved to be an issue till date for Ajay, but being a rare product, the machinery to make it often proves to be a hassle. “There is only one person who deals in the dials or mould in India and I have to depend on him,” rues Ajay
Local labour force
Crompton’s, and getting approval from Mumbai, with a letter of confirmation, he set out to establish his factory. Ajay heeded the Government’s help under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, under which, he had to generate employment to the local people; hence the fourteen employees of his factory are all Goan. The Crompton Company is currently totally dependent on Ajay for the supply of packaging, thus
Ajay sought the government’s help under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, under which he had to generate employment to the local people; hence all fourteen employees of his factory are all Goan production is done sometimes in two or even three shifts. Workforce has not proved to be an issue till date for Ajay, but being a rare product, the machinery to make it often proves to be a hassle. “There is only one person who deals in the dials or mould in India and I have to depend on him. If there are repairs to be done and it gets delayed, I can’t do anything about it. I’m currently looking for dials from China and Taiwan,” says Ajay. Power poses another problem to the functioning of the
factory, which would be helped by putting up a transformer near the premises, but the delay in processing the application has left Ajay relying on a low voltage supply. Ajay is currently working on a few new projects, including the packaging for Siemens, Crompton Greaves motor division, Pentair, Bosch and IFB. He is also working with Dr Kurade to develop eco-friendly packaging for mushrooms. “My next project is expanding Crompton Greaves, as that is where I started and they helped me set up the factory: we aim to increase production from thirty thousand pieces to one lakh, which is a huge jump,” says Ajay. He develops the moulds for each type of packaging on his own, taking into consideration the size, weight, and strength of the packaged product. “The design takes about 3 months, and then I make a prototype which has to be approved by the company, and finally make
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the dial. Once the dial is made we start production,” says Ajay. To aid faster production, the company is now planning to put up a conveyor, so that it reduces the time and effort required. “We have got bigger orders and are trying to minimize the effort. We are also trying to use solar energy for all the power issues,” he adds. Ajay is simultaneously working on the development of a construction brick from industrial waste, another project of using agricultural waste to make bricks for the replacement of oil and fuel for the furnaces. “Two kilograms of this brick equals one litre of oil and goes at `11, this would mean a saving of `50 and the only gas that is released is carbon dioxide instead of carbon monoxide and ash instead of charcoal,” explains Ajay. Having been inclined towards environmental practices, Ajay aims to take in waste and convert it into ecologically viable and commercial products
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 27
GOAN BRAND
A major breakthrough to the sales of Buona Pasta was at the Grape Escapade where they promoted their products, including fresh ravioli, which was a first in Goa
Buona Pasta
Authentic flavours of Italy in Goa A taste of healthy and unique Italian fare that has people singing its praises writes MONALIZA DIAS
O
ne evening over dinner, Michael and Tomoko Lobo of FinDoll Group, spurred out a brilliant plan with their friends from Italy, Doriano and Annamaria Maltagliati. A plan to change pasta, as we know it, in Goa. They proposed to start manufacturing Buona Pasta in Goa. An Italian brand name, ‘Buona Pasta’ means ‘good pasta.’ As the word itself suggests, ‘Buona Pasta’ was going to be different from the rest of the pasta products available in India. It would be manufactured locally, without the use of additives or preservatives, thus being an all natural product. The concept is new to India and if the novelty isn’t enough to capture ravenous foodies, the pasta is priced at half the rate of other imported pasta. The whole idea formed in a year and a half, and they set up base in Pilerne Industrial Estate in November 2012. In the few months that they have been in the market, their growth has been tremendous, and the brand is already considered a threat to many available pasta imports. The Maltagliati family, one of the pioneers of pasta manufacturing in Italy, even have a variety named after them, ‘Maltagliati pasta’. Back in Europe, Doriano Maltagliati, is a renowned chef with over thirty years of experience. He owns over thirty restaurants around Europe spanning from Milan to Prague and even Moscow. Their plan to set up base in Goa was bound to see success, as well. They tied up with a Goan establishment, the ‘FinDoll Group’, owned by Michael and Tomoko Lobo. The firm was started twenty years ago with the aim of making Goa a tourist friendly destination. They launched English to Konkani phrase books, maps, tourist event and entertainment guides, 28 Business Goa
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Marlon Lobo
Buona Pasta offers a wide range of dry pasta, fresh pasta, ravioli and pasta sauces guaranteed to be fresh, healthy, wholesome and nutritious and eventually a venture into the real estate industry. Like every novel brand, Buona Pasta had to implement various marketing strategies to gain recognition but not before personally visiting restaurants and major hotels in North Goa to sample their product. “Within the first 48 hours of our launch in the market, we had our first client – Charleson Beach Resort in Calangute,” says Marlon Lobo, son of Michael and Tomoko. A qualified Chef who worked for an Italian Cruise Liner for two years; he is now the production manager of Buona Pasta. In the first month of personal marketing, they garnered 180 restaurants serving their products. “Barely a month after hitting the retail market, we sold 180 kilograms
of pasta in the Goan Market,” reveals Marlon. He also admits that the only marketing strategy that they adopted was ‘Try it then Buy it’, and it was successful. They hit the retail market in North Goa in January and the South Goa market was explored in March, this year. They held tasting sessions outside supermarkets such as Ajay’s, Magsons, Borkar’s, Delfinos and Newton’s among other leading supermarkets around Goa. A major boost to their sales was at the Grape Escapade where they promoted their products, including fresh ravioli, which was a first in Goa. Today, nine months after launching Buona Pasta, 115 retail outlets and over 200 food establishments sell their products. They also have a tie up with Café Oriental at Ozrant beach in the North of Goa. “We always knew Goa was a good market in India, as Goa is more culturally exposed in terms of food, people and dialects”, says Marlon. “Setting up base in Goa was the most perfectly pitched plan. We knew this would work out sooner than later,” he adds. Buona Pasta offers a wide range of dry or fresh pasta, ravioli and sauces, guaranteed to be fresh, healthy, wholesome and nutritious. They have gone to great lengths to ensure that only the best is offered to the people of Goa. All the raw materials have been carefully selected from in and around Goa. They monitor the temperature and humidity as well as storage and transportation to favour the uniqueness of their products. They are also adamant on using only pasteurized eggs and filtered water in all their products. The Buona Pasta factory is obsessed
with hygiene and cleanliness in accordance with the United States Public Health (USPH) Standards. “We believe in quality over quantity. It took us six months of extensive research to get the perfect blend of healthy ingredients. Each ingredient is handpicked to retain our high standards. The result of our keen attention has only been fruitful. Our sales have improved tremendously over the last couple of months and I believe it is entirely due to the uniqueness of the products”, states Marlon. “Buona Pasta products claim to be healthier than rice. They contain proteins, carbohydrates and are also low in fat. For all the diet enthusiasts, our pasta has all the required nutrients for a healthy meal,” says Marlon. “India has had a range of pasta products available in the market for many years, but none that reach the standards of Buona Pasta. We meet exceptional standards of pasta not only Goa, but all over India. We could very well boast of being the best in India,” adds Marlon. After receiving rave reviews and overwhelming success, Buona Pasta is now looking to expand its reach to metros like Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. “People in the metros are very health conscious and aware of what they eat. Our brand would surely make a mark in there,” states Marlon. He further reveals that they are already in talks to establish their brand outside the state, and possibly in the future, export to other countries, as well. On a concluding note, Marlon says that despite the novelty of the brand, they had to face a lot of struggles initially. It was a huge challenge. Great pains, commitment, hard work and continuous motivation kept them going and today they are reaping the benefits of hard work
development index
Ozone Leisure and Resorts
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Putting sustainable theories into practice A sustainable venture blending innovation, environmental consciousness and Goan architectural tradition Ozone’s hospitality project
S
ustainable Development has been a feature of the global development lexicon for over two decades. While opinions may differ, the UN Brundtland Report of 1987 defined it as “development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Progress and growth are a prerequisite to the human condition. Over centuries we have seen advances in technology, thought and innovation in nearly every realm of humanity. A large part of the personification of this advance is in our physical environment. The question is, do we look at growth as a necessity? If so, then can it be humane, in terms of the individual, society and in a larger context, to the environment? Can it be self sustaining? While progressive, can it enrich without being exploitative? A fair representation of these thoughts is found almost daily in Goan newsprint, a reflection of the civic nature of the dialogue which prevails in the state. Almost by default, ‘Development’, one of the most physical representations of growth, is dearly scrutinised. Is it possible to have non-intrusive development, catering to its spatial and physical requirements while similarly not compromising on the present and future environment? Ozone Leisure and Resorts 30 Business Goa
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executes a hospitality project in Goa, addressing the socioeconomic, environmental and physical aspects associated with sustainable development. The project is essentially a resort development catering to the leisure traveller. Addressing the socio-economic aspects Rohit C N Kashyap, Executive Vice President, Ozone Leisure and Resorts strongly believes, that in the empowerment of local communities, lays the success of development projects. Keeping this view, a training centre was set up in 2011 where professional training courses are still conducted by Agnel Ashram as part of the United Nations Development Program. Thus, creating a local talent bank. Concurrently, impetus is provided allowing the participants to start their own entrepreneurial ventures. The initiative has seen an increasing local participation, largely contributing to their self
empowerment. “We see it as a major employment generator for local talent during its construction and operation. We hope our work stems the tide of Goans who leave Goa to seek new pastures, since these opportunities would be available, quite literally, at their doorstep” he says. Addressing environmental aspects, Rohit states that the existing trees are preserved and integrated into the development to enhance the site’s natural beauty and provide shady spots. The building itself adapts to a climate dependant design, with the site plan and building corresponding to local climate and weather patterns. “As a result, the building uses natural energy and landscape strategies to ventilate the interior, creating a micro-climate reducing air-conditioning loads, water runoffs and ‘Heat Island’ effects” he says. The roofs exposed to maximum solar radiation are protected with indigenous grass, literally a green roof. The east, west and south facades receiving maximum solar gain are opaque and built from materials with a high thermal mass. In contrast, the north, northeast and northwest facades are transparent and open up major spaces to expansive water views, with canopies protecting the glazed façades from sunlight. Large operatable doors overlooking the waterfront, allow breeze to permeate the main building, reducing the
“The building relies on natural means of energy and landscape strategies to cool and ventilate the interior spaces, creating a micro-climate that reduces the air-conditioning loads, water run-offs and ‘Heat Island’ effects” Rohit Kashyap
Executive Vice President, Ozone Leisure & Resorts
need for air-conditioning during the months with moderate temperatures. In order to reduce heat gain, almost 80% of the open space on site is either shaded or non reflective. The heat generated from reflected solar radiation is minimized using water features and vegetation (plants and green roofs). Water conservation features like rain water harvesting supplement the overall water requirements. Rain water is collected, filtered using roof vegetation and other low-impact techniques, and then stored in underground tanks for re-use in flushing and irrigation. In addition, low flow-rate faucets, water closets and urinals reduce the overall water consumption. The aesthetics of the buildings are a by-product of the function as much as a response to the local climate. Goan archetypes – whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, large overhangs, porticos and wooden ceilings – are re-interpreted to evolve a contemporary vocabulary that is rooted in vernacular architecture and the climate of Goa. A lot of the building materials used is found within close proximity of the site. With sustainable aspects built into the project, it will be the first LEED Certified ‘green’ hospitality project in Goa. Sustainable development is now highly relevant in Goa, with its historical diversity and unique cultural sensitivity. “Our philosophy seeks to utilize both international and local know how, to create iconic edifices with unmatched customer experiences, while embracing sustainable practices that collaborate with and benefit local communities. We see our projects as the harbingers of change in the developmentscape of Goa. We intend to preserve the environment, while enriching the socio-economic, cultural and historical integrity” concludes Rohit
event of the month
i, the entrepreneur: atul pai kane
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From a Garage to the Global Market Atul Pai Kane discusses entrepreneurship, business trends and challenges, writes Mark Alphonsus
E
very so often, an unknown quantity emerges, a personality unlike any other. A testament to the adage that many among us would have heard from the time we started going to school – ‘there is no substitute for hard work.’ Atul Pai Kane lives this sentiment through the success of his company, Pai Kane Group (PKG). A pioneer within the Goan business landscape, Kane has built an enterprise from the ground up. He set out (with the help of a few friends and classmates), selling literally anything within the scope of engineering and fabrication products, from the confines of his garage! This venture started out in 1989, before he had even turned eighteen. The products were sold under the name Powerkat, until 1995 when Kane established his niche in the market selling gensets (engine generators). Elected Chairman of the CII Goa State Council for the year 2013-14, his success stems from his commitment to customer satisfaction and quality products. Over the last ten years this has been well represented through PKG’s growth in turnover from 3 crores to 125 crores. Speaking at this month’s I, The Entrepreneur, an event hosted by the Centre for Innovation and Business Acceleration (CIBA) in Verna, Atul Pai Kane fielded questions from young engineers and business graduates looking to grow as entrepreneurs in their own right. He discussed various topics including the importance of innovation and the pitfalls that a potential start-up must negotiate. Discussing his early days, when he used to work out of a garage, Kane talked about how he was inspired to start his own company. “I never wanted to work for anyone,” he said assuredly. “I began working for my father repairing mechanical concrete vibrators, before starting out on my own. Before we opened up our first factory 32 Business Goa
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If you get a gut feel that tells you to market something, go for it. Structure is fine in a high end corporate institution. You have to be willing to take calculated risks
Atul Pai Kane
in the summer of 1995, it was all fun and games, I enjoyed it thoroughly. After 2005, that’s when it began to get stressful,” he laughed. He answered questions about the initial hardships that he faced and dealt with common misconceptions that hinder young entrepreneurs, including the problem of funding capital. He mentioned that as long as an idea is good, the backing from investors isn’t hard to come by. “If you get a gut feel that tells you to market something, go for it. Structure is fine in a high end corporate institution. You have to be willing to take calculated risks,” he said, highlighting the importance of trusting one’s instinct as an entrepreneur. Kane also imparted a few words of instruction, “If there’s one thing that I learnt in the industry, never say no to anything. Saying yes always invites new opportunities and saying no, closes the door on them.” Kane underlined the importance of his company’s move away from the Indian market in favour of pursuing a global avenue. He spoke of a lack of decent returns in India and in 2010, moved on to a global platform. PKG now markets 70 percent of its goods in the international market with Kane looking to a future of only 10 percent immersed in the Indian market with the rest of the business focused on Europe and Africa. He did however state unequivocally, that the US and
China were ‘no-go’ markets for PKG as far as production was concerned. He cited the example of China being an extremely cutthroat market, wherein most of his competitors exhibit competitive low pricing as a result of below-par quality control measures. Kane’s benchmark, high quality standards prevent him from being competitive in such a market. Touching upon challenges that arise in the genset market, Kane spoke of the difficulty that he faced trying to hire technical people. He said, “The numbers with suitable qualifications are available, yet they are unemployable.” He goes on to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of our education system, going as far as to say that it threatened the future of the country. He suggests that India follow the example of the West where it is common for students to take a break after college, to gain hands-on experience. He commented positively however, on the work ethic of Indians living in the Middle East, USA and Europe (Goans in particular), being superior to that of their local counterparts. He says, “When abroad, I have found Europeans to be extremely hard working, but not very productive. Indians on the other hand, work efficiently and have a greater output.” He was gracious enough to share some of his marketing strategies with the audience.
When the company almost went belly up a decade ago, Kane realised that he was placing all his eggs in one basket i.e. relying on a single engine manufacturer. Apart from this, he reiterated the importance of having a good infrastructure and professionalism, which are qualities that clients give great importance to, within a global framework. He emphasized his commitment to customer satisfaction by supplying the audience with a few eye-opening statistics about his company’s after sales and customer service departments, “We have seventy two locations and a hundred and twenty eight employees for the sole purpose of handling after sales services,” he said. Atul Pai Kane made an impact with the audience, too. Students of BITS Pilani, who have decided to engage in a start-up after pursuing their college degrees, found the experience very informative. Adheesh Bhatia and Phalgun Soni shared their thoughts on the interaction with Atul Pai Kane, “This is a good initiative where we get to meet experienced professionals who can pass on their experience. Our enthusiasm for the project that we plan to undertake has been given a huge boost. This direct interface with successful entrepreneurs has helped us take it much further.” It was plain that Kane was nothing but grateful, when quizzed on the impact that entrepreneurship, has had on his personal and family life. He replied, “You can’t succeed in this business without your family’s support.” Atul is grateful for the support that he received from his mother at the start of his career and the confidence and backing that he presently receives from his wife. “I spent almost 183 days away from home last year, I’m surprised my marriage isn’t in trouble,” he winked
CAMPUS GOA
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India’s ad wizard Agnello Dias speaks at DAVID ROHLANDER The CEO Code Chowgule College Founder’s Day As a tribute to its founder Vishwasrao Chowgule, Chowgule College celebrated Founder’s Day at the college campus. This year the college hosted advertising wizard Agnello Dias, Chairman and Co-founder of Taproot India, the country’s most awarded advertising agency, was at the college to interact with students. Widely known as Aggie, Agnello Dias is a Goan, hailing from the village of Sarzora in South Goa, who has today grown to be one of the leading names in the advertising world. Some of Agnello’s famous ad campaigns include the Nike advert with the popular ‘Bebdo’ song by Lorna, Airtel’s foot tapping ‘Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai’, Times of India’s ‘Aman ki Asha’ campaign and the Mumbai Mirror campaigns among others. Speaking about his journey through life, Agnello Dias shared personal stories of his success and trials with the students. “It is always wonderful to come back to Goa. It was an interesting experience sharing my personal journey with the students of Chowgule College, this is the first time I have been asked to speak
Agnello Dias
about my life,” he said. Founder’s Day is an annual fixture on Chowgule College’s calendar. Regarded as one of the pioneers of industrialization in the state, Vishwasrao Chowgule fought against the odds to create what he believed in. A philanthropist at heart, he founded Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College in the year 1962. He had a clear vision for the college and was committed to advancement in the field of education. Since then, the college has come a long way under the able guidance of the Chowgule College Society trustees, and has achieved numerous milestones in the field of education, sports, academics and cultural events
An inspirational book based on extensive scientific research, comprehensive business experience and keen observation of everything that ‘works’ in the real world. David Rohlander is a founder and CEO of three companies, member of Merrill Lynch’s Management Advisory Council as well having completed 208 missions as a U.S.A.F. pilot. The book shares real-life stories of his personal experiences and professional encounters as well as mentoring and coaching roles advising CEOs, start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. Some core concepts and ideas discussed in the book are a few tried and tested techniques to help CEOs set goals that enable employees to perform at a high level. It also focuses on how lifestyle patterns and habits can be critical to transforming a business or destroying it. In the book, Rohlander is consistent on highlighting various personality traits and how each has key attributes that can be harnessed. He also underlines the importance of not having a single yardstick to measure them by. The strategies, whether connecting CEOs with their staff on a personal or professional level, is woven into thought-provoking and illustrative stories which make the book a delightful read as well as a supportive tool to senior executives and CEOs Publisher:
Jaico Publishing House
BG CROSSWORD 46
QUIZZARE
Conference on ‘Repositioning Brand India’ held at Goa Inst. of Management The 2013 edition of Samriddhi at Goa Institute of Management achieved a mind-boggling participation of 85 top B schools of the country which included crème-da-le-crème institutes like IIM, SP Jain, IIFT, SIBM, NMIMS, among others. The theme for this year, Repositioning Brand India, showcased India as home to one-sixth of humanity, a nation of young talented people and a leader in the knowledge age. This year, teams of prominent delegates and dignitaries were invited to present their views on the theme. Some of the speakers included Sam Pitroda, A. Mahindran, Bala V. Balachandran, Bharat Dabholkar, 34 Business Goa
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D. Shivkumar and Kruti Parekh among others who shared the dais. The magnitude of events of Samriddhi 2013 can be elucidated from the fact that more than 200 teams had registered in its core marketing, operations and finance events. A realistic repositioning of ‘Brand India’ demands vision and commitment while requiring patience and conviction to bear fruition. Above all, it requires an intention from every Indian citizen to make an honest effort regarding this. To sum up, Samriddhi 2013 was immensely successful in garnering focus on repositioning ‘Brand India’ and projecting an endeavour to build a ‘Grand India’
Across: 1 – Mining and minerals company, facing controversy in Niyamgiri, Orissa (7) 6 – Indian tire manufacturing company (4) 7 – French luxury cosmetics house owned by Loreal (7) 8 – Indian AA battery manufacturer based out of Chennai (5) 10 – Lucky ______ – American cigarette brand (6) 13 – The renmimbi is the currency of _____ (5) 15 – Handheld phone cum gaming console from Nokia (1-4) 16 – Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in short (4) Down: 1 – Engineering, air conditioning and refrigeration company based in Mumbai, India (6) 2 – ______ Suitings, based out of Mumbai (6) 3 – E-reader brand developed by Barnes and Noble (4) 4 – ___ Aviation Holdings, parent company of Air Canada (3) 5 – Process of writing shorthand, in short (5) 8 – Japanese IT and telecom company (3) 9 – Toyota hybrid car brand (5) 11 – Popular brand of heat rub balm (5) 12 – A gold bar is also called an _____ (5) 14 – “The Taste of India” brand (4) answers to crossword 45 Across 1 – Konica 4 – BOB 6 – Looney 7 – Eno 8 – Apollo 10 – PIL 11 – FICC 13 – Reese 14 – Eicher Down 1 – Kirloskar 2 – Nerolac 3 – Café Coffee 4 – Blue 5 – Borodil 9 – OPC 12 – CDC
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Ameet believes that he has grown and improved through every project and this he feels is because every project is appreciated for the effort and time that has gone into making it, which motivates him to do better
amEEt suctancar - ARCHITECT
Creating aesthetic spaces
I
was introduced to architecture solely because of my father, Manguesh Suctancar who is a renowned architect. Being exposed to this field at a young age got me inclined towards the profession. I was very intrigued by the work done by my father and his employees. To be an architect, you have to constantly make strategic plans for convenient and varied designs and that is what grew onto me. I did exceptionally well in the higher secondary board exams and hence I had plenty of options to choose from. At that time, computer science was a novel field with great scope and everyone was queuing up to get admissions in this field. It didn’t particularly suit me but I joined the rest as a backup plan. I had applied to the Goa College of Architecture as well. After a month of studying computer science, my admission at the Architecture College came through. I immediately left computer science and I have no regrets. I have always been responsible. I maintain a high amount of dedication to my work as I take great pain to ensure that each and every project of mine receives keen personal attention. This ensures that the product stands out. Some of my earlier projects have been the Secretariat Complex, heritage works such as Panjim Inn, Gallery Gitanjali and restoration work on the High Court buildings at Altinho. These were intricate ideas and took a lot of time and effort to form and I am very proud of each of them. Currently I am 36 Business Goa
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working on the Pulmonary and Chest Disease Complex at GMC. Concurrently I am also working on a number of complexes and villas. Through every project of mine I have grown and improved. This is because every project is appreciated for the effort and time that has gone into making it, which motivates me to do better. I received a major boost after I stood first at the Secretariat Complex which was the first project that I had undertaken soon after an internship. I have been blessed to have received early exposure within the field of architecture. It has given me good experience and I have only benefited from it. For most, the fear of being overshadowed by their experienced elders fills them with dread but I have always trusted my abilities. I believe that my father’s goodwill has gained me the trust of my clients and I work towards retaining it every day. From the start, my journey has been smooth. Any incidents that have occurred in this time frame have been nothing but memorable and a blessing. I have achieved much more than I expected. At present I am the Chairman of the Goa Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architecture. I am also a guest lecturer at the Goa College of Architecture where I interact with and lecture the third year students. There is no particular type of architecture that hogs more of my interest than the others. Architecture is something that is
never dull; it requires a continuous flow of ideas. That is what I’m focused on. I am interested in anything that involves design as it gets my creative juices flowing. It can be anything, from a house to a building. As long as it tests my creativity, I am happy. Along with my wife, Reshma who is also an architect, I undertake not only structural designs but interior decoration as well. I believe I’m working in the easiest field. I don’t have to sacrifice my time to relax as I consider my job to be a fun activity. It is creative; it gives me the freedom to explore my creative side and the authority to implement it. There is nothing more fulfilling than creating a brilliant piece of architecture; it’s not just buildings anymore but a work of art. I urge the public to support the Government’s initiative of drafting the master plan for the city of Panjim. This will not only benefit the public but also help create better infrastructure. 2013 has been a good year for me professionally, as I have received a lot of recognition for my work. It is a good feeling when your work, the product of your mind is widely appreciated. I was selected along with fifty other exceptional architects for the iGen awards and I have also received the Indian Concrete Award this year. Things were never always this rosy for me. There was a time when I hardly had any projects coming my way, and the Goan market was on a downscale. I eventually made
There is nothing more fulfilling than creating a brilliant piece of architecture; it’s not just buildings but works of art
Ameet Suctancar
progress through painstaking efforts and innovative ideas. Nothing ever comes easy, but what matters is how you handle a tough situation, you either give up or push harder. I don’t believe I’m successful as yet. In fact I’m far from it. Only after I accomplish the task of building sensible pieces of architecture will I accept the tag of being successful. For now, I will work, learn and build until I reach the peak of success. Whatever I have managed to achieve till date, I owe to my team. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and brought us to where we are today. I can’t see myself settling for an early retirement. I will continue with my profession for as long as I can and as far as I can visualize the future As told to MONALIZA DIAS
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Shobha reveals that through her passion for excellence she has not only built, but also maintained a large customer base who keep coming back for her food and also refer her to prospective clients
Putting food on the table ALISHA PATEL in conversation with Shobha Tarcar about how she built a successful catering business
S
hobha Tarcar began her tryst with outdoor catering in 1996 with small orders from family and friends. Today, she bags orders of such large magnitude that she has even had to turn them down sometimes. “I’ve always loved to cook and whenever I made something new, I would share it with my family and friends. After receiving good reviews from everyone, my sister-in-law and I decided to get into catering as cooking was something that made us happy. I always loved seeing the joy on people’s faces after they ate my food,” she recollects. “We started small, with orders of just one kilogram. Slowly and steadily as word spread, our orders increased along with the number of people that we catered to. Within a year of being in operations, we received an order for an astounding one thousand and fourteen guests at a wedding.” Shobha personally believes that maintaining consistency in her recipes has been her biggest key to success. So much so, that she personally prepares her masalas. “Despite having staff who have been with me since the start, I keep my masalas a closely guarded secret. In recent years, there has been a trend of hiring out the chef of a catering company, to cook for an event. Even if this happens with one of my chefs, they do not know the key secret behind the recipes and hence the quality will not be the same. This ensures that clients keep coming back” she says. Having worked exceptionally hard during the formative years of Sai Samarth Catering, Shobha believes that she can now work at her own pace and can afford
to choose the business that she wants. Shobha goes on to reveal, that through her passion for excellence she has not only built, but also maintained a large customer base who keep coming back for her food and also refer her to others. Starting a catering company requires complete dedication. For a woman with a family to manage as well, Shobha has had to walk the proverbial tight rope. “As a businesswoman I have had to face numerous problems with staff as there is a severe staff crunch in Goa. At times, I have had to hire part-time workers to meet demands. Rising prices of commodities have put me in a fix. I do not want to hike my prices as I feel it is unfair to the customer. As a wife and mother, I ensure that I have fixed hours at work so that I can dedicate the rest of my day towards looking after my kids and finishing other household duties. Luckily, I have a very supportive family and this support from them has helped me rise to the top,” she says. Shobha also reveals that she does everything herself, right from sourcing foodstuff to delivering the finished dishes. Opening up about what makes Sai Samarth Catering one of the most preferred caterers in Goa, Shobha states that besides her masalas, her recipes too are age old, some of which are family secrets passed down through generations while others have been shared by friends. “The most ordered items include a number of chicken and mutton preparations, including Butter Chicken and Chicken Cafreal, Mutton Xacuti as well as Gobi (Cauliflower) Manchurian and Saraswat cuisine. I often have
Read the Voice of Business in Goa 38 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
When I decided to venture into the catering business, many eyebrows were raised and questions were asked regarding my decision. I stood my ground and proved the cynics wrong Shobha Tarcar customers coming to us from far flung places,” she reveals. Being in the catering business, one must be able to think on their feet, says Shobha. “There have been numerous incidents where I have had to take quick decisions with regards to sourcing extra food in case of a shortage. I also have to make decisions regarding quantities and menu structures,” she informs. Being a woman in what has always been predominantly a man’s business, Shobha laments the fact that more women haven’t taken up catering as a business. “When I decided to venture into to the catering business, many eyebrows were raised and questions were asked regarding my decision. I stood my ground and proved the cynics wrong. Caterers today are mushrooming across the State under the belief that it is an easy job. When many of these caterers later realize how much of an effort actually goes into the business, they quit. People have often told me that I
work harder than most men,” she states. Having built a successful catering business, Shobha now wants to do things that she is passionate about and advises women who wish to venture into catering, not to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of work, and take it within their stride to achieve the highest levels of success
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As an individual player, you will no doubt show glimpses of brilliance from time to time but your overall performance is likely to be below par because there will always be situations when you fare poorly and someone else does better
Gather Together The author talks about teamwork and how working together is the key to success
Nilesh Amonker It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you can do alone
The Writer is a natural entrepreneur. An alumnus of the prestigious Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, he traverses diverse businesses like info-tech and real estate nileshamonker@yahoo.com
W
e’ve all heard the story of the turtle and the rabbit. They used to be friends, but one day they had an argument over who was the better of the two. The rabbit was a cunning little fellow and suggested that they have a race to see who was the faster of the two. The faster one would naturally be the better one. They both agreed on a route and started off. The rabbit blasted off at a tremendous speed while the turtle trudged along in a laggard manner, doing the best that he could. The rabbit soon ran out 40 Business Goa
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of breath. Seeing that the turtle was way behind, he decided to take a break and relax for a wee bit before continuing the race. He sat under the shade of a tree and soon fell asleep. The turtle meanwhile, made up for lost ground. Seeing the rabbit fast asleep plodded on, overtook him and finished the race emerging as the undisputed winner and needless to say the better of the two. When the rabbit woke up he realized that he had lost out to the turtle. The moral of this story that we have all grown up with is: “Slow and steady wins the race”. But our version of the story doesn’t end here! The rabbit was certainly disappointed at the turn of events. After much introspection he realized that he had lost the race only because he had been over-confident and careless. Had he been a little more sensible and not fallen asleep, he would have easily outdone the turtle. He had to drive home the point that he was indeed the better of the two and salvage his pride. He challenged the turtle to another race and the turtle once again agreed. This time the rabbit
was committed and went all out. He did not stop anywhere and allowed nothing to distract him. Before the turtle had even made it to the half way mark, the rabbit had crossed the finish line. He had well and truly beaten the turtle. The moral of the story is: “Consistency and speed coupled with commitment will beat slow and steady any day,”! It sure is good to be slow and steady, but it is definitely better to be fast, consistent, reliable and committed. But our story doesn’t end here… The turtle was licking his wounds and could not come to terms with the fact that he had been humiliated in such a fashion – he had been beaten by several miles. He realized that the present format of the race gave him no chance against the rabbit. He thought for awhile and challenged the rabbit to another race – this time in a different format and along a different route. This time, the race track covered some distance land, across a river and again on land before reaching the finishing line. The race started and the rabbit
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raced ahead at top speed until he reached the river. Once there, the rabbit was at a complete loss and sat there wondering what to do. The turtle in the meantime trudged along, got into the river, swam across to the other bank, continued walking and completed the race without much ado. The rabbit was left on the bank twiddling his thumbs. He had been beaten again! The moral of the story: “To succeed, first identify your strengths and your core competency and set the playing field to suit these abilities”. But our story still hasn’t ended. The turtle and the rabbit at this point, grew tired of fighting and constantly bidding to outdo each other. They sat together and discussed the issue. They had a hunch, that had they worked together and capitalized on each other’s strengths and performed as a team, they could have run the last race a lot better and could have possibly broken all records. They decided to give it another shot. This time however, the rabbit carried the turtle on his back from the start line upto the river
The key clearly lies in collaborative effort and situational leadership. It’s about working together with people, assessing each other’s strengths and letting the person with the relevant core competency in a given situation to take the leadership position
bank. Once there, they swapped positions, the turtle took the rabbit on his back and swam across the river. On the other side of the river, the turtle rode on the rabbit’s back once again and they crossed the finish line together in record time. They had broken all previous records and had emerged as winners in their own right. The sense of satisfaction was tremendous. The moral of the story: “It’s great to know your individual strengths and core competencies but the key is to work together as a team and harness other people’s strengths and bring in synergy rather than work at cross purposes. That is the secret to great achievement”. It is important to collaborate as much as you can and work as a team to take on whatever you set out to do. Your team will not only add value to you but multiply your value. Your team will complement you and take
care of things that you are not particularly good at, allowing you to focus on the things that you can do well. It’s a simple case of 1 and 1 being not 2, but equal to 11. As an individual player, you will no doubt show glimpses of brilliance from time to time but your overall performance is likely to be below par because there will always be situations when you fare poorly and someone else does well. The key clearly lies in collaborative effort and situational leadership. It’s about working together with people, assessing each other’s strengths and letting the person with the relevant core competency in a given situation take the leadership position. It’s not merely about who’s the boss – it’s more about who’s the boss in a given situation and letting them take over. Teamwork is seldom about people coming together and doing things your
Teamwork is understanding the situation and delegating tasks to the individual who is best qualified to handle it way or my way. It’s about understanding the situation and delegating tasks to the individual who is, best qualified to handle it. Teamwork divides the task but
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multiplies the chances of success. Remember, individually you may be but a drop of water – together, you can be an ocean! As Andrew Carnegie said, “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you can do alone.” And for the naysayers who doubt the power of individuals working together – a snowflake is perhaps one of the best examples. They are extremely fragile and delicate but the sheer power of a bunch of snowflakes sticking together and moving in one direction as an avalanche makes them virtually unstoppable. And so it is with people. In the words of Mother Teresa, “I can do things you cannot and you can do things I cannot; together, we can do great things.” In the end, no matter how good you are, you cannot whistle a symphony - it takes a whole orchestra to play it!
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 41
Letter from America
There are two distinct schools of thought in the United States with one side believing that there should be no regulation on industry allowing market forces to determine ‘survival of the fittest’, while the other side wants reasonable amount of government controls to ensure fairness for all
It’s the Economy The author talks about the weakening rupee and likens its resurgence to the US economic recovery post 2008
Jay Dehejia The Writer used to be a senior corporate executive, now a social entrepreneur. He spends most of his time between Goa and New York jay@dehejia.net
W
hat’s with the economy of the United States, and why is the Indian Rupee rapidly devaluing against the US Dollar? Is there a connection? The US economy may be on the mend, but growth in India has stalled. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen suggests a way forward, with the government funding education and poverty alleviation. Equally well-known economists Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya believe in rapid industrial growth, which in turn would provide the funds for inclusive growth. Do policies put forward by President Obama or by the Republican Party in Congress offer any clues for India? The economy of the United States is the single largest in the world, with the GDP estimated to be around $16 trillion. The per capita income based on purchasing power parity is the 7th highest in the world behind Luxemburg, Macau, Qatar, Norway, Singapore, Brunei, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. India’s GDP is around $1 trillion. According to The World Bank’s latest report, India’s per capita income on the basis of PPP is approximately $3,800. It ranks 126th in the world, well below 42 Business Goa
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its neighbours in ASEAN and just above Pakistan and Bangladesh. The financial crisis of 2008 saw the United States fall into recession and the economy is still in recovery mode. With unemployment rates at a historic high of 7.4% and GDP growth estimated at around 1%. The Federal Reserve continues to pump money into the system, but is under enormous pressure from the right-wing Republican Party members to cut back money supply and at the same time cut government spending. Liberal economists like Paul Krugman believe that this double whammy is likely to send the US economy into a second recession. In a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times he wrote “Even the people I consider the good guys, policy makers who have in the past shown real concern over our economic weakness, aren’t showing much sense of urgency these days. For example, last fall some of us were greatly encouraged by the Federal Reserve’s announcement, that it was instituting new measures to bolster the economy. Lately, however, what one mostly hears from the Fed is talk of letting up on its efforts. Even though inflation is below target, the employment situation is still terrible and the pace of improvement is glacial at best.” There are two distinct schools of thought in the United States, with one side believing that there should be no regulation on industry allowing market forces to determine ‘survival of the fittest’, while the other side wants reasonable amount of government control to ensure fairness for all. The first group clearly believes that the rich create jobs while many of us find that not to be true. The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett believes that tax loopholes and tax benefits for the rich (1%) are basically unfair. President Obama tried to implement a tax plan, which he called the ‘Buffett Rule’, where
people earning more than $1 million would pay a minimum tax of 30%. The Republicans in Congress shot this down. The Republican majority in Congress and the Democrat majority in the Senate continue to disagree on how the economic growth can be revived. Every time President Obama is looking for a compromise solution the Opposition moves further away from any possible agreement. It is difficult to forecast when the Democrats and the Republicans are going to stop their political rhetoric and begin the process to help revive industrial growth, reduce unemployment, and help increase consumer spending. In my opinion, the basic engine of growth in the United States comes from sale of new homes and purchase of automobiles and durable appliances. When the President and the Congress agreed on the ‘sequester’ – an automatic cut in government spending in every government department – no one expected that this draconian act would affect Americans from all walks of life. The irony is that when the cuts affected the air traffic controllers and therefore the number of flights that could take off and land at airports in and around Washington D.C., politicians were quick to reverse the decision so that they themselves would not be inconvenienced flying between their constituency and the Capital! The election cycle for the Congress in the United States comes around every two years. With long drawn out campaigns, the Representatives always seem to have one eye on getting elected and do not focus on improving the economy. The next election for the Congress and for 1/3rd of the Senate seats is set for early November 2014. Does all of the above sound familiar to Indians who see Parliament in gridlock most of the time, with regional parties
holding the government at ransom?! A recent article in The Economist mentioned: “The prospects of a revival have only been complicated by the possible winding down of quantitative easing (QE) in America. India has been a voracious consumer of the hot money.”This money is now leaving the country. On August 6th the rupee hit a record low of 61.30 per dollar. By the time you read this article the exchange rate could be Rs.75 to $1 as several economists predict. It has been the weakest emerging-market currency in the past month. Portfolio investors are leaving India as they expect better returns in the United States. Even though the Indian Government has announced a spate of reforms like those in 1991, it is unlikely that these changes will be implemented any time soon, as political parties are gearing up for State and National elections. It is unlikely that India will see a large influx of foreign direct investment in the near future. Raghuram Rajan, the incoming Governor of the Reserve Bank of India will have his hands full, juggling the many facets of the economy and at the same time, minimizing interference from the Indian Finance Ministry. James Crabtree of the Financial Times reports: “Possible further measures [in India] include temporary restrictions to limit imports of goods such as consumer electronics, or the issuance of new bonds designed to attract funds from the sizeable population of Indians.” Will these stopgap measures improve India’s economy? President Obama has floated the name of Larry Summers, previously the head of the President’s Economic Council, as the next head of the Federal Reserve. In the meantime, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee, or FOMC, decided at its July meeting to continue its two major forms of stimulus: keeping the $85bn bond-buying program known as quantitative easing (QE) and to keep the interest rate at zero. These are difficult times for the US and India
LEGAL EAGLE
According to the Act, the proceeds of Cess collected are to be credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State of Goa and to be utilized for undertaking the measures to reduce the carbon footprint by means of such programmes or schemes as may be decided by the Government
Go Green
Raunaq Rao The Columnist is a practicing Advocate and takes keen interest in public affairs and socio-legal issues raunaq.rao@gmail.com
E
arlier this year, the Government enacted what is known The Goa Cess on Products and Substances causing Pollution (Green Cess) Act, 2013. This Act has been enacted to provide for levy and collection of cess on the products and substances including hazardous substances, which upon their handling or consumption or utilization or combustion or movement or transportation causes pollution of the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and other environmental resources of the State of Goa, under the concept of ‘Polluters Pay’ principle, and also to provide for measures to reduce the carbon footprint left due to such activities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act gives a wide definition to the term “Products” so as to include within its ambit all those products which upon their handling, consumption, utilization, combustion or movement or transportation causes pollution of the lithosphere, atmosphere, 44 Business Goa
SEPTEMBER 2013
biosphere, hydrosphere and other environmental resources and causes emission of carbon 4 dioxide and other green house gases or discharge other types of effluents and includes asphalts, automotive gasolines, fuel oils, kerosene, lubricants, napthas, waxes, other hydrocarbon compounds including mixtures, products obtained from crude oil and natural gas processing etc. Similarly, the term “substances” has been defined in a manner that it means substances which may upon their handling or consumption or utilization or combustion or movement or transportation, causes pollution of the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and other environmental resources and causes emission of carbon dioxide and other green house gases or discharge other types of effluents and includes carbon products, coke, coal, chemicals and chemical products and other hazardous substances. Section 4 of the Act provides for levy of Cess. The rate at which Cess may be levied is to be specified by the Government but shall not exceed 2 percent of the total sale value of the product or substances. The Cess levied under this Act is to be in addition to other cess, taxes, charges, duties, permission fees, license fees or any other fees payable under any other law for the time being in force. According to the Act, the proceeds of Cess collected are to be credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State of Goa and to be utilized for undertaking the measures to reduce the carbon footprint by means of such programmes or schemes as may be decided by the Government. Modelled on the lines of the Gujarat Green Cess Act, 2011, there’s much for the Government to worry. Under the Gujarat Green Cess Act, 2011, Green Cess not exceeding twenty paise per unit was levied on generation of
The author talks about the newly enacted Goa Green Cess Act 2013
electricity other than renewable energy for creation of a fund (Green Energy Fund) for protecting environment and promoting the generation of electricity through renewable sources in the state of Gujarat. This also included electricity generated by captive power plants of companies. In Gujarat, levy of such Cess was fiercely opposed by industry majors including Reliance Industries, Essar Power, Nirma, Tata Chemicals, Arvind, Phillips Carbon Black, Apollo Tyres, Essar Oil, Birla Cellulosic, Torrent Power, Hindalco Industries, Jaypee Gujarat Cement Plant and United Phosphorus. The companies relied upon 2004 judgement of the Supreme Court in the matter of M P Cement Manufacturers’ Association vs State of Madhya Pradesh, wherein it was held that a State was not competent to levy cess as the Parliament had exclusive legislative competence in this respect by virtue of Entry 84 in List I of Schedule 7 of the Constitution of India. It was also held by the court that electricity was “goods” and that the State would have competence to levy tax on the sale and consumption of electricity but could not levy cess on the production of electricity. The Gujarat Government on its part argued that what was being charged under the Act is a fee and not a tax. It further claimed that such cess is collected not for generation of electricity but is merely computed in terms of generation of electricity. After hearing the petitioner
companies and the respondent State Government, the judges concluded that “the State Act is ultra vires of the Constitution and the same is therefore, declared void. Resultantly, the Cess levied under the State Act would also stand vitiated.” The Supreme Court has now issued a stay on the Gujarat High Court judgment which quashed the state legislation as unconstitutional. A bench of Justices R M Lodha and S J Mukhopadhaya stayed the judgment and allowed the Gujarat government to compute green cess on 20odd big industries, including Reliance Industries Ltd, Apollo Tyres, Arvind Mills, Essar Oil Ltd, Ultratech Cement, Nirma Ltd, Hindalco, Tata Chemicals and Jaypee Gujarat Cement. Senior Advocate L Nageshwar Rao said “the aim of the Act was to protect environment by levying cess on generation of electricity other than renewable sources and utilization of the amount collected by promoting renewable sources of energy in the state in substitution of conventional/ fossil fuel generated electricity.” However, Senior Advocates A M Singhvi and C A Sundaram said that these industries were generating electricity from conventional sources to meet inhouse demand and not for selling it to consumers for a profit. They requested the court to distinguish between commercial producers of electricity and those generating it to run their units while adjudicating the legislative competence of the state to enact such a law. While we are at this, I am reminded of an interesting observation of Sir Winston Churchill. He said “For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle”
what’s up goa
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ICSI Goa Chapter hosts Conference
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (Goa Chapter) of the Western India Regional Council recently held their annual conference. The Conference was inaugurated by Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman of Dempo Group of Companies. The conference felicitated two successful students at the CS exams – Abhijit Rane and Manisha Naik. A Corporate Quiz was hosted by Harshvardhan Bhatkuly. The conference also held technical sessions for the delegates by CS M. R. Gopinath who stressed on Company Law. While Ketan Gawand spoke on stress and time management, CS Atul Mehta highlighted the prospects for
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Company Secretaries. Some of the other key speakers were, CS Mahavir Lunawat, CS B. Narasimhan and Akash Agrawal and Sagun Salgaonkar of Ethical hacking, EC Council. The Conference was followed by an evening dedicated to portray Goan Culture along with boat cruises and a gala dinner. CS Kevin Fernandes (Chairman, Goa Chapter) and CS Shivaram Bhat (Secretary, Goa Chapter) provided key support in the making of the conference. The exciting conference ended with the valedictory function which was attended by CM Manohar Parrikar, ICSI President CS S N Ananthasubramanian, CS B Narasimhan and other notable personalities. Parrikar in his speech congratulated the students and congratulated the Goa Chapter of WIRC for hosting a successful conference
Apollo Victor Hospitals launch “Department of Diabetology” Apollo Victor Hospitals, Margao recently launched a full-fledged Department of Diabetology to tackle the rapidly growing disease which is become the root cause of most health problems. The Department is headed by full time Diabetologist, Dr. Shreekanth Hegde who is an expert in this field and Dr. Neuman Correia, Consultant Endocrinologist. Dr. Hegde commented that “It is possible to prevent or postpone the incidence by understanding the risks of the disease. People are at risk of getting diabetes if there is any family history of diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high and irregular caloric intake, stress, past history of high blood sugars during pregnancy, etc. Those who are at risk must check their fasting sugars, 3 months average blood sugar (HbA1C), Cholesterol and BP to detect the
Earliest Changes. With simple measures like regular physical activity, balanced food intake, reducing extra body weight and in certain special cases, we can prevent or postpone the problem with the help of medicines.” At Apollo Victor Hospitals, Dr. Hedge is supported by a Multidisciplinary team of specialists involved in the Management of Diabetes, besides having a full-fledged Diagnostic set up that conducts all specialized high end tests. Apollo Victor Hospitals practices the philosophy that “Prevention is better than Cure”. Besides treating illnesses, the hospital also promotes wellness through Preventive Health Check Programs which help to improve the quality of life by monitoring and suggesting lifestyle management and treatment options
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Liberty Shoes opens exclusive showroom in Margao Liberty Shoes announced the opening of their latest exclusive showroom in Margao, first store in South Goa at the hands of Raman Bansal, Executive Director, Liberty Group in presence of Ritu Raman Bansal along with a host of dignitaries. Liberty Shoes newest showroom is centrally located opposite Hindu Pharmacy, Margao. S K Andani (Master Franchisee & Distributor for Goa) said “Liberty caters to the footwear needs of the entire family. The range consists of new fresh designs, trendy footwear for children, stylish shoes for ladies and reliable and comfortable shoes for men”. He further informed that “in addition to the new showroom at Margao, its existing Liberty Shoes exclusive showroom at M.G. Road, Panjim has been serving customers since last 13
years”. Liberty Shoes today is one of the fastest growing footwear brands in the country due to its use of latest technology and strict adherence to quality while keeping cost under check to ensure that the end product is affordable to the consumer. Liberty has various subbrands that cater to specific needs of the consumer – Formals & Party wear for men are made under Fortune brand, whereas Windsor is a comfortable shoe to work in throughout the day. Force 10 is meant for the athlete in you, Coolers range of shoes will keep the heat away,
S K Andani
Footfun keeps the fun going for kids, Senorita are stylish ladies shoes for the urban women whereas TipTopp meets the reliability needs of the women. In addition to these Gliders which is the largest brand by range among the Liberty brands meets the daily needs of entire family
Surrender yourself at the Quan Spa! The world-class Quan Spa at the Goa Marriott Resort & Spa offers the ultimate in pampering these monsoons! Leave the stress and worries of life behind, and sink into a blissful dimension, as exceptional masseurs transport you to the seventh heaven! Indulge in a soothing ‘Foot Ritual’ to ease the tension in your feet, followed by a rejuvenating Swedish massage guaranteed to infuse new life and vigour, so as to enable you to face the daily pressures of life with freshness and a brand new outlook. Culminate this tranquil odyssey with a quick facial to bring a new and beautiful glow to your skin. Spoil yourself silly or treat your loved one to a pleasantly idyllic spa experience only at the Goa Marriott Resort & Spa! For reservations, please call 08322463333 or 0832-6656214
SEPTEMBER 2013
Business Goa 47
At the core of GEMS’ philosophy is their concept of self-employment. This is based on a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone philosophy, wherein a person can work under their own terms and in their own field of interest without having to endure the distressing struggle of searching for a job
curtain raiser
Budding Entrepreneurs Workshop
Fostering novel entrepreneurial ideas
T
here are two ways to be successful. The first is to make mistakes, and through hard-work and endeavour, correct them. This gains a person valuable experience, allowing them to move forward without repeatedly getting ensnared by the same follies. Another way is to learn through the mistakes of other people which help you avoid making the same slip-ups on the very first attempt. Goa Entrepreneurs Mentoring Services Trust (GEMS) is a non-profit organization which epitomises the latter. Their philosophy has stemmed from the idea that a co-operation between young, hopeful entrepreneurs and reputable veterans in Goa’s business landscape is the right way ahead. It has developed a formula for such an objective that takes shape at the grassroots. It focuses on school and college level, identifying candidates with a passion towards a particular field of interest. This drive is then harnessed into skill development within the same area of expertise. Finally, the aspiring start-up is placed under the tutelage of a mentor, who directs the young entrepreneur in the finer aspects of starting a business, maintaining it and ensuring that it flourishes without suffering the consequences of common failure. This synergy between young upstarts and the efforts of stakeholders is maintained within industry associations, educational institutions, financial establishments and training organizations among a host of others. GEMS believes in a philosophy that Excites, Encourages and Nurtures youngsters into becoming quality business professionals and prospective entrepreneurs. • Excite: The first step creates a spark in children at school and college levels. This is done through awareness programs at educational institutions, entrepreneurs’ clubs and 48 Business Goa
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GEMS believes in a philosophy that Excites, Encourages and Nurtures youngsters into becoming quality business professionals and prospective entrepreneurs lectures given to students by entrepreneurs who share stories of their success. • Encourage: Building a skill set and broadening perspective in the appropriate field of interest is extremely vital. This is enabled through seminars and workshops, which are made possible through tie-ups with supporting organizations like CII and CIBA. • Nurture: Guidance plays a big role in defining whether a person’s potential is maximized. Mentors coach the budding entrepreneurs and develop their proficiency in networking and making useful contacts. This empowers them to find their own methods of success at a greater pace than normal. At the center of GEMS philosophy is the concept of self-employment. This is based on a kill-two-birdswith-one-stone philosophy, wherein a person works under their own terms and in their own field of interest without having to
endure the distressing struggle of searching for a job. It also provides significantly larger financial benefit for the individual, while doing an added service for the country, by providing wealth and job opportunities – a win-win situation. GEMS believes that the daunting task of establishing a firm foothold in the entrepreneurship circuit, should no longer be a problem as a result of this initiative. As it stands, Goa has plenty of scope for niche business enterprises in almost any field. While there exists financial and other all-round training support for entrepreneurs, GEMS realizes that there is a lack of awareness and a closed mindset towards building a start-up. This distinct process, centered on the individual, involves roping in skilled professionals, people who have seen and done it all, to mentor and guide young entrepreneurial aspirants, making the transition simpler and ensuring a faster start-up and higher success rate. GEMS ensures its commitment to this objective by advising youth to get into entrepreneurship as well as taking steps to ensure that each one is individually groomed for a successful career. Currently GEMS has around 30 registered entrepreneurial veterans, who have volunteered to offer their expertise in pursuit of this project. The plan is to increase this number to more than 100 before the end of the year
Budding Entrepreneurs Workshop Complimenting their efforts to aid development of new businesses, GEMS is organizing a workshop for budding entrepreneurs on the 27th & 28th of September, 2013 in association with Economic Development Corporation of Goa (EDC), with support from the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA), Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), Business Goa and the Directorate of Industries. In this workshop, aspiring entrepreneurs will be guided on topics like resource mobilization and SWOT analysis, besides practical work on developing sound business ideas, identifying resources and preparing a comprehensive business plan. Each aspiring entrepreneur (Mentee) will be connected to Mentors (seasoned businessperson) who have volunteered to share their experience. They will handhold and help them grasp the essentials of building a start-up throughout their entrepreneurial journey of 6 to 18 months. Details of the Event Date: 27 and 28 September 2013 Time: 9 am Last Date for Application: 16 September 2013 Application Screening Date: 18 September 2013 Register or inquire for more details by calling 9158885735 or email: rajkamat.gems@gmail. com You can also register in person by visiting their offices in Panjim. • GEMS: AG-14, Campal Trade Centre, Opposite Kala Academy, Panaji-Goa • GSIA: 4th Floor, GOA-IDC House, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403001
The Voice of Business in Goa
BON APPÉTIT
Miguel Arcanjo
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A Mediterranean Marvel ALISHA PATEL samples an eclectic array of tantalising fare at Miguel Arcanjo -Taj Exotica, Benaulim
Chef Ravi
Chef Dipankar
O
ne small step into Miguel Arcanjo’s culinary world was one giant leap towards the perfect Mediterranean feast. Miguel Arcanjo, at the Taj Exotica Benaulim features a variety of Mediterranean cuisine as well as a lively show kitchen and pizza oven. Having heard much about this haute restaurant, we decided to put it to the test. The place is named after Goan legend Chef Miguel Arcanjo Mascarenhas (Mascy), who ruled the kitchens of the Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai since 1929. The restaurant’s food theory is defined as an incorporation of the latest trends in modern fine dining, coupled with creative Chocolate served in various flavours
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Warmly lit interiors at Miguel Arcanjo
presentation. The cuisine itself is upscale European in its background with the best of Mediterranean and modern Western melange. Their team of talented Italian Buratta cheese with tomatoes, balsamic soil chefs, headed by plum and olive oil snow Chef Dipankar Paul, choice. Eventually we settled with his twelve years of culinary on poached pears with olive expertise, obtain the highesttapenade and pea tenderents, quality produce, with the focus Italian Buratta cheese with plum being on “farm to plate,” thus tomatoes, balsamic soil, olive enhancing the flavours of every oil snow and a wild mushroom ingredient that is served to you. cappuccino, delicately drizzled From an assortment of with truffle oil, which transported bread, accompanied by a us from the middle of a stormy Charmoulo dip and a selection of Goan monsoon to the warmer, olives, to classic Mediterranean cosier atmosphere, synonymous flavours, we were spoiled for with the famed climate of the Mediterranean. Keeping in tune Tiramisu with with Mediterranean culture, we Espresso Granite washed down our appetizers with a refreshing guava sorbet. Lost in-between the flavours of the appetizers and deep conversation, a sizzle in the air snapped us back to reality. Panseared sea bass with a lemon mash appeared, accompanied by
Sea Bass, Asparagus Risotto, Oven Dried Tomato and Caper Salsa
an asparagus risotto with tomato salsa, followed by grilled prawns with garden green vegetables, surrounded by an olive mash and orange dust which were both cooked to perfection. The seafood was as light as a feather and was perfectly complimented by the smoothness and the delicate texture of the mashes. Rounding off the perfect meal was a sinfully rich trio of signature chocolate preparations. This included a dark chocolate ice cream, a rich chocolate cake and a luscious chocolate mousse. As tradition goes, the meal ended with a petit four – Rich pistachio nougat with caramelized marzipan. A befitting finale to a much delightful Mediterranean meal
GOABUZZ
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Centre for Innovation and Business Acceleration hosts I, The Entrepreneur. Atul Pai Kane shares his story Centre for Innovation and Business Acceleration (CIBA), Verna hosted their breakthrough event, I The Entrepreneur, recently. The speaker for this maiden edition was Atul Pai Kane, CMD of the Mapusa-based Pai Kane Group. Atul is also the Chairman of CII Goa State Council. He spoke about his entrepreneurial journey and answered many queries concerning start-ups. The audience comprised mainly college students from engineering and management institutions. Atul shared his trials and tribulations as an entrepreneur selling engineering and fabrication products from a garage. He also spoke about his business mantra – “try and do things right the first time and do not take shortcuts.” There was positive feedback from the audience, “This is a good initiative which allows us to interact with industry persons,” said Adheesh Bhatia, a student of BITS Pilani who plans on starting a business after college
L-R- Praveen Joseph, Sahil Borkar, Prerna Taneja, Malav Kansara, Pralubdha Sahu
Atul Pai Kane
Fr Alfredo Almeida
Ian Alvares
Pushkar Kurade
D S Prashant
Micheal Fischer
Sevena Jacques
Raghuvir Mahale
Anthony Gomes
Amey Karmali
Hardik Sojitra
Taraka Prabhugaunkar
Bharne Fashion & Lifestyle launch their Mapusa store Leading fashion hub Bharne Fashion & Lifestyles recently launched a new store in Mapusa. “This is the model of benchmark stores for future expansion that we have planned across the state and upcountry, too”, said Sanjay Bharne. He also stated that they are set to open fifty stores across India in the coming years. Their new store will concentrate on garments for ladies and gents and will also stock accessories. The launch was well attended by family, friends and well-wishers – all of whom congratulated the Bharnes on their achievements and wished them well for the journey ahead
Seenu Kurien
Nandita Bharne
Haunsabai Kamat
Keshav (Babu) Kamat
Mahima Thakur
Sadanand Thakur
Pradip Kavlekar
Antonio Pinto Rosario
Samruddh & Siddhant Bharne
52 Business Goa
Sanika Bharne
SEPTEMBER 2013
Seema Bharne
Vivek Pinto Rosario
Sadhvi Thakur Sachin & Sanjay Bharne
Smitabai Bharne
NEWSMAKERS
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Eknath Thakur receives Lokmanya Matrubhumi Award
Jitendra Kumar Sarraf, is CMO Asia’s Director of the Year
Former Member of Parliament and Chairman of Saraswat Bank, Eknath Thakur was recently decorated with the prestigious Lokmanya Matrubhumi Award. This is the third edition of the Awards hosted by the Lokmanya Multipurpose and Multi State Co-operative Society. Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar presented the award to Eknath Thankur. In his acceptance speech, Thakur spoke about the fact that time had come for the good people of society to take matters of importance in their hands. He lamented on the current social situation on the country and said that he pinned his hopes on the youth to rise to the occasion and lead our republic in these trying times. Thakur has been instrumental in seeing the growth of Saraswat Bank into a major financial player
Standing testament to his impeccable organizational acumen, keen understanding of the industry and incredible leadership qualities; Director of Finance, Grand Hyatt Goa, Jitendra Kumar Sarraf was recently awarded CMO Asia’s Director of the year. With a proven track record of managing successful finance functions of leading 5-star hotels in the past, Jitendra Kumar Sarraf is one of the most valuable members of Grand Hyatt Goa, who has been instrumental in the successful opening of the hotel. As the Director of Finance, Sarraf plays an integral role in providing financial and strategic insight to the leadership team of Grand Hyatt Goa. “It is an absolute honour to have received this particular award and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our General Manager, Stefan Radstrom and each and every member of the Grand Hyatt Goa team. It isn’t difficult to be great at what you do as long as you have a team of incredibly talented individuals”, said Sarraf
Pramit Raiker elected President of Goa Gold Dealers Association The Goa Gold Dealers Association (GGDA) has elected Pramit S Raiker as its President. Based in Margao, the Association represents over two hundred registered gold dealers across Goa that market and service customers. As the new leader, Raiker said that he will pursue GGDA’s goals in procurement of gold from official channels. In the new monetary policy 2012-13, it was recommended to restrict banks from importing bullion gold on consignment basis to meet the genuine needs of exporters of gold jewellery. The current scenario is that banks have stopped imports of gold on consignment basis. Local manpower is inadequate and the overflowing of outside artisans has threatened the local industry, this is a crucial problem facing our industries, and it needs to be solved on a priority basis, he rues. Other issues that the new President plans to address are getting a hallmarking centre in Goa and installing police security booths at strategic locations
Manguirish Pai Raiker launches website for RCPR Agri School Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman of the Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar Education Society, recently launched the ‘Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar School of Agriculture’ website www. rcpragrischool. com at the hands of Deepak Dhavalikar, Minister for Cooperation, Government of Goa on August 15. The staff, students and other important dignitaries were also in attendance. The website aims to help people access the school and agriculture based information and also to widen their reach across Goa. In the future, the website would help farmers stay updated about the market and also provide vital information on soil and climate changes affecting them. Farmers can also post their queries which will be answered 54 Business Goa
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FinDoll launches FA Goa app FinDoll Publication’s recently launched the first FA Goa android app at the hands of India’s ace squash player Ritwik Bhattacharya. The App covers the entire State and provides upto- date information about events happening across the State from dining, shopping, and sightseeing to art and culture along with useful general information such as police station numbers and FRRO registration contact details to taxi and hospital information. The FA Goa App is free for download from the Google Playstore and is very user friendly. Users can browse through the categories listed and navigate to different tabs in each section. One can also search for specific events or categories or outlets using the search feature as well as search using keywords
quiz
51
1. Which car brand originally known as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili has been a part of Fiat SpA since 1987? 2. Who takes over as the Governor of Reserve Bank of India from D. Subba Rao on 4th September 2013? 3. “You will wonder where the yellow went” – which brand had this famous slogan for its 1956 campaign? 4. Which company was formerly known as RACAL Telecom? 5. Which company did Adrian Dalsey, Lorry Hillbom and Robert Lynn start in 1971? 6. Identify the person in the picture Answers to BG Quiz 50 1. Non Alcoholic beers 2.Domino’s Pizza 3.Perfetti Van Melle 4. Ratan Tata 5. TripAdvisor 6. Lord Meghnad Desai
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