PANAJI
With a strong focus on strengthening the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, the State government in its Budget has announced a series of policy initiatives, financial incentives and digital reforms aimed at boosting industrial growth, innovation and employment generation in Goa.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government will reorient its industrial policy framework to give greater administrative and institutional focus to MSMEs, which form the backbone of Goa’s industrial ecosystem.
As part of this effort, the government has proposed to rename the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce as the Directorate of MSME, Industries, Trade and Commerce, a move aimed at bridging the gap between industry registration and actual industrial growth while creating a dedicated administrative structure for MSME development.
To promote innovation and competitiveness in the sector, Sawant announced the launch of the “Chief Minister’s MSME Innovate Scheme, 2026.” The scheme will extend financial assistance for research and development, intellectual property creation, incubation support, seed capital, skill development, salary reimbursement and operational support. A budgetary allocation of Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for the initiative.
The government will also introduce four new MSME schemes focused on promoting green investments, branding, trade promotion and integrated support for MSME activities across the State. These schemes will provide reimbursements and subsidies of up to 80 per cent of eligible expenditure, with a budgetary provision of Rs 5 crore.
To help local industries expand globally, the Chief Minister proposed the “Mukhyamantri Export Incentive Scheme.” Under the scheme, 50 MSMEs will receive financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh per year for two years on a first-come, first-served basis. A provision of ₹2 crore has been made for the initiative.
Further support will be extended to women-led and youth-led MSMEs through a Special Support Window that will offer financial assistance, skill development and handholding support to first-generation entrepreneurs.
In a move to encourage job creation, the government has proposed to increase the employment subsidy limit from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per MSME unit, offering greater financial support to enterprises generating local employment.
To streamline services for entrepreneurs, the government will launch a Unified Digital Platform, a one-stop portal designed to address all MSME-related requirements online. Additionally, an Integrated Single Window Approval System will be introduced to make the investment approval process simpler, faster and fully digital.
The government also announced plans to set up an IPO Cell within the Industries Department to guide Goa’s small and medium enterprises in accessing capital markets and preparing for stock market listings.
The government also announced measures to strengthen infrastructure in industrial estates. A Smart CCTV Surveillance System will be installed at the Pilerne Industrial Estate at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore.
To address environmental concerns, the government plans to establish a solid coir waste management system in industrial estates. Five major estates -Verna, Madkai, Cuncolim, Tuem and Pissurlem - will function as nodal clusters, supported by a centralised coir waste management shed of 800 square metres.
Further, the government has allocated Rs 30 crore to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) for the construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in major industrial estates.
To strengthen rural industry linkages, the government will also implement a scheme under the Mukhyamantri Modified Interest Rebate Scheme to provide working capital loans for the procurement of raw cashew.
The Chief Minister added that the government will also encourage industries in Goa to undertake research and development (R&D) and support young innovators in the State as part of its broader strategy to build a competitive and innovation-driven industrial ecosystem.
