Panaji, Jun 29 (TOI): As part of the government's commitment towards industrial growth in the state, it is striving to bring big and eco-friendly industries to the state, and steps have been initiated to provide infrastructure for newly created industrial estates at Panchawadi and Shiroda, minister for industries Mahadev Naik said.

Naik was speaking as the chief guest at the annual general body meeting of Goa state industries association at Panaji on Friday. Sanvordem MLA and chairman of Goa industrial development corporation (GIDC) Ganesh Gaonkar stressed on the need to have compact relations between GIDC and Goa state industries association for the industrial growth of the state. Gaonkar also assured that the issue of appointing a new chief executive officer of the Goa state investment promotion board would be resolved quickly.

Also present for the meeting was the chairman and managing director of Goa Shipyard Limited, Shekhar Mittal, who said that Goa being a coastal state has vast scope for ship building. "This sector has potential to generate opportunities for employment and this is how Goa can contribute to a large extent in making India the third strongest nation in the economic sector," he said.

Ex-president of Goa state industries association Shekhar Sardesai handed over the reins of the association to incoming president Sudin Naik.