The Goa government should give more attention to development of pharmaceutical sector in the state which is a non-polluting industry, trade body CII said on Monday.

CII Goa Council chairman Atul Pai Kane said the industry body would advise the government to promote the pharmaceutical industry, which is relatively non-polluting.

Iron ore mining, a big industry in Goa, has run into rough weather in the last couple of years because of the pollution it causes, among other things.

“We want to develop Goa as a competent pharma, life sciences and R&D destination. We look to increase pharma exports through the Port of Goa,” Kane said, listing out the priorities for the industrial sector of the state in the coming fiscal according to CII.

Already, the annual output of pharma companies in the state was about Rs 5,000 crore, and the sector had struck roots in Goa, he said, adding that “we can grow from here”.

He said CII hoped that Goa government’s proposed investment policy would have a special focus on the sector.

But for it to grow further, infrastructure was needed, and CII was going to write to the government on this, he said.

CII would also be working with the state government to prepare a road-map for the tourism sector.

CII Goa Council Vice Chairman Kirit Maganlal said the industry body submitted a white paper on tourism to the state government two months ago. The state needed “a tourism promotion board”, he said, adding that the focus should be on promoting tourism in Goa hinterland, and the medical tourism.

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