Panaji

Goa is positioning itself as India's preferred "work from home" and "work from beach" destination, while simultaneously strengthening its startup ecosystem to create long-term economic opportunities, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.

He was speaking at the 'Shackathon' event organised by the state Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C).

"Tourism would continue to remain one of the key pillars of Goa's economy, but the state now aims to attract people who wish to stay longer, work remotely and build businesses. Can Goa become the place where people choose to stay longer, work longer and build something meaningful? The answer is yes," the CM asserted.

Sawant said the younger generation, especially Gen Z, is looking at careers differently and no longer prefers a traditional office setup.

They want flexibility, mental peace and a better environment, which opens a huge opportunity for Goa, Sawant said.

"The government is creating the necessary systems and infrastructure to support remote working and digital entrepreneurship. Goa is preparing itself for the future by promoting a 'work from beach' culture where professionals can work while enjoying the state's scenic surroundings," Sawant added.

Informing that Goa witnessed around 1.8 crore tourist visits till 2025 and registered a 10 per cent rise in international tourist arrivals last year, he said tourism will continue to remain one of the biggest pillars of the state's economy.

Referring to the Centre's Startup India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sawant said Goa is actively building a startup ecosystem.

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"Several startups have already been registered under the Startup Goa initiative, while financial assistance of over Rs 4.5 crore has been extended to entrepreneurs. These numbers will continue to increase. Goa's startup story has only just begun," the chief minister said.

For the two-day 'Shackathon' event, which is the first of its kind in the state, over 300 participants have been shortlisted from a pool of more than 700 registrations, a senior official said.