Panaji, Oct 17 (TOI): Goa can become the startup hub of India in the next five years, said former deputy prime minister of Malaysia Tun Musa Hitam. He was speaking at the IdeaLab 2018 held at Goa Institute of Management on Tuesday.

“There is a deep interest in start-ups among Goans. The state has to begin with awareness, willingness, ability and determination directed by leadership and the government’s assistance to facilitate to every citizen who wants to launch a startup,” he added.

He said Goa already has the infrastructure but more needs to be built and the government can give incentives to budding entrepreneurs on computers or smartphones so that such gadgets are within their reach.

Hitam further shared his views on how the state can integrate its already existing tourism industry with startups and expand itself. “Goa has a very long-established community that makes most of its economy from tourism. With the interest in startups which is multi-faceted, why not start something tourist related?” he said, adding that food and taxi apps would work well in the state.

“Tourists coming to Goa now have become very clever and sophisticated. They want smooth service,” he said.

Citing an example from Malaysia’s startup culture, he said many young Malaysians even from wealthy families are into the street food industry and are making a lot of money. “These people are not just hawkers, they are people who have turned streets into hawker stalls. These are the kind of people who need start-ups to advance their business. Even in Goa, everyone wants to eat, so the street food must be cheap, cooked fast and be tasty,” he said.

Facilities like policy and financing must also be available in enabling such startups to flourish. “The ecosystem must be complete. We may also need to redesign policies to help build startups. But the government’s role must be limited only to that,” he said.