The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa IDC) has assured the Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (GPMA) that the issue relating to land availability and water supply in the state will be solved soon. Industry is facing problem in setting up or expanding their facilities in Goa and they are forced to invest and build their plants in other states.

In the recent meeting with Goa IDC, the association informed Ganesh Gaonkar, chairman of Goa IDC about the issues faced by the industry, that constrains industry's growth within the state. The lack of sufficient land availability for the pharma companies to expand their manufacturing plants is leading to huge loss for the pharma industry in the state.

Suresh Kamath, president of GPMA, says, “The chairman of Goa IDC has assured to look into the matter at the earliest. After the amendment in FSI (Fixed Space Index), land will be available in Goa. We have suggested to identify the vacant plots near existing units and release them for the expansion of existing units. The companies can directly send their requirements to Goa IDC.”

He further said that for running the pharma units continuous water supply is required. At present the pharma sector is facing water shortage in the state but Goa IDC has assured that the distribution of water will start from October, this year, as the distribution of water has already reached the Verna industrial estate and soon supply of water will start in other industrial estate.

Goa has a large established pharmaceutical industry and it is estimated that the pharmaceutical industry in Goa contributes around 10 per cent of India’ pharmaceutical output. The Mormugao Port is a notified port for both import and export of pharmaceutical products. With the favourable investment climate in Goa, it is most preferable location for the pharmaceutical companies. For the smooth run and better pharma output from the state, it is important for the government to address the issues faced by the pharma companies in the state.