Goa Industrial Development Corporation(Goa-IDC ) has launched the Hello World Innovation & Research Park at Verna Industrial Estate to create a world class ecosystem for technology, research and innovation in Goa. Upon full development and occupancy, the Park is expected to support around 35,000 highly skilled professionals. It is intended to create career opportunities for Goan youth in research and development, information technology and IT enabled services, Global Capability Centres, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and data centres.
Goa has a highly educated workforce. However, the limited availability of high paying technology and research opportunities within the State forces many young Goans to relocate to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and other cities, or to seek employment overseas.
At the same time, technology companies and Global Capability Centres are increasingly expanding beyond traditional metropolitan centres. Tier II and Tier III cities are actively developing technology infrastructure, talent pipelines and investment incentives to attract these enterprises. Hello World is Goa’s effort to participate in this emerging technology economy and create conditions in which Goan youth can pursue world class careers within their home State.
Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Industries, Trade and Commerce, said: “Goa cannot afford to miss the next technology wave. While other cities are rapidly building ecosystems for information technology, artificial intelligence, research and Global Capability Centres, Goa must act decisively to create similar opportunities for its youth. Hello World is expected to support around 35,000 high technology, white collar jobs. Our objective is to ensure that Goan youth do not have to leave the State merely to build successful professional careers.”
Supporting Verna’s manufacturing base
The Hello World Innovation & Research Park will also complement the strong manufacturing base already established at Verna Industrial Estate. Many manufacturing companies require specialised spaces for research, product development, design, testing, digital engineering and other knowledge-based functions. At present, such functions may occupy space within factory premises that could otherwise be used for expanding production capacity.
Hello World will provide purpose built, plug and play office and research spaces close to the existing industrial ecosystem. This can enable manufacturing companies to relocate suitable research and office-based functions from their factory premises, while using their industrial plots more efficiently for manufacturing and production expansion.
The proximity of research teams, technology companies and manufacturing enterprises can also encourage collaboration, product innovation, process improvement and adoption of advanced technologies across the Verna Industrial Estate.
Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Chairperson of Goa-IDC, stated: “Verna has developed into Goa’s strongest manufacturing ecosystem. Hello World will complement this base by providing modern, plug and play spaces for research, design, technology and product development. Existing manufacturers can move suitable research and office functions out of their factory premises and use their limited industrial land to expand production. At the same time, the Park will create white collar opportunities for Goan youth and help reverse the outmigration of talented young Goans seeking professional careers outside the State.”
A developer-led technology ecosystem
Hello World is proposed over approximately 4.03 lakh square metres at Verna Industrial Estate. Under Phase I, six plots measuring a total of 1,54,900 square metres were offered through public auction for the development of technology and research office infrastructure.
Goa-IDC will provide the enabling environment, while private developers will invest in and construct the physical infrastructure. Technology and research enterprises can thereafter establish operations within the completed campus. At least 80 per cent of the built-up area is reserved for core office use by enterprises engaged in the specified technology and research sectors. Commercial space is restricted to between 7 and 10 per cent. The development is also subject to sustainability, accessibility, construction and land utilisation requirements.
A transparent national outreach
The plots were offered through the National Informatics Centre’s eAuction India Portal. The opportunity was publicised through the Goa-IDC OPEN Portal, National & local newspapers in Goa.
Goa-IDC also presented the project at the CREDAI National Conclave, attended by more than 800 delegates. Individual invitations, accompanied by physical copies of the project brochure, were sent to more than 450 developers and industry representatives across India. The project was approved as a special incentive scheme by the Board of Goa-IDC under Regulation 10 of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation Regulations, 2023. The auction base price of ₹4,000 per square metre was approved before the bidding process and was available on identical terms to every eligible participant. The plots have not been sold. Leasehold rights remain subject to development obligations, restricted end use, annual lease rent and continuing regulatory control by Goa-IDC.
Building an enduring economic ecosystem
Goa’s pharmaceutical sector demonstrates how a well-designed industrial incentive can catalyse long term economic development. The tax incentives provided during the 1990s helped attract anchor pharmaceutical companies to Goa. These investments subsequently created employment, technical skills, suppliers, packaging units, logistics networks and other ancillary services.
Hello World follows the same underlying industrial development principle. The objective is not limited to developing buildings. It is to attract enterprises, mobilise private investment, generate high quality employment, support existing industries and create an enduring technology and research ecosystem in Goa.
Why the name “Hello World”?
In computing, “Hello, World!” is traditionally the first program written by a coder. It signifies that a new system is ready to communicate. Through the Hello World Innovation & Research Park, Goa seeks to announce its arrival to the global technology economy and create a future in which world class careers are available to Goan youth within Goa.
