Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, announced on Friday that the federal government will work with the Goa government to develop a framework to draw high-tech firms, such as data centres and semiconductor facilities, to create a “mini Silicon Valley” in Goa. Speaking at the Amazing Goa Global Business Summit, he stated, “In this framework, we envision developing Goa as a preferred destination for data centres, semiconductor chip design and development, high-end electronics, and automotive manufacturing.”
Goyal also outlined intentions to establish a small hub in Goa for multinational firms’ Global Capability Centres (GCCs). He went on to say, “I am sure Goa will emerge as a business centre that the world will envy with its data storage capacity, infrastructure, and high quality of life.” As India’s Silicon Valley, Goyal suggested a new township in September that would be devoted to entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and disruptors. Although he recognised Bengaluru’s status as India’s present tech hub, he recommended collaborating with the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) to create a focused support zone for start-up companies.
The government agency NICDC is in charge of developing 20 smart industrial cities along India’s main thoroughfares; in August, the cabinet approved 12 of the cities. The minister’s remarks caused a little political uproar when Karnataka Industries Minister M B Patil said that Bengaluru was not developed overnight and that it took decades or perhaps centuries to construct. Roads and infrastructure may be constructed, but the environment takes decades to develop.
Political friction arose in response to Goyal’s comments. Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil stated that Bengaluru’s ecosystem took decades or even centuries to establish, pointing out that although infrastructure may be constructed rapidly, a strong tech environment takes time to develop. Later, Goyal lambasted Karnataka for what he saw as its disregard for Bengaluru’s business climate and recommended that the state concentrate on turning Tumakuru Industrial Township, one of the 12 authorised smart cities, into a hub akin to Silicon Valley.
