Panaji, Mar 28 (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday made a pitch to defence equipment manufacturers to set up base in the coastal state.

"I would like to take this opportunity to invite defence manufacturing companies from across India and the world to come and set up shop in Goa under the 'Make in India' programme," Parsekar said while speaking at the inauguration of the Defence Expo 2016 at Naqueri plateau in South Goa, 35 km from here.

"Goa is one of the fastest growing and industrially advanced state in the country. We have significant presence of several public and private sector manufacturing facilities in defence as well as aerospace segments," Parsekar said.

Promising convenient licensing procedures, Parskar said his "government had ensured ease of doing business by creating an investment promotion board which acts as a single window for all permission and licences required to operate an industry".

He also said Goa was one of the top tourism destinations in the country, which helped rejuvenate visitors and could be an ideal foil to the Make in India programme.

"Make in India has to be accompanied by rejuvenate in Goa," he said.