PANAJI
The Ambassador of India to Portugal, K. Nandini Singla, inaugurated the Goa Desk of Portugal India Business (PIB) Hub in Panaji. This desk is aimed at facilitating and hand-holding businessmen of Goan and Indian origin willing to set up base in Portugal and similarly extending support to Portuguese industrialists keen to venture into Goa and other parts of India.
Earlier, in January, this year, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa had paid a visit to Goa. Subsequently, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited Portugal in June. The bilateral ties and trade between both the countries are improving.
Meanwhile, it is a Goan company called Reira Group, which has facilitated setting up of PIB Hub's desk in Panaji.
Speaking on the occasion, Singla said, "The idea behind this desk is to give a platform for people from India and Portugal to connect for business. This hub will be a door to Indian businessmen not only to Portugal but also to other Portuguese speaking countries like Brazil, Mozambique and Angola." Singla also explained a number of ways through which young technology start-ups in Goa can gain from PIB Hub.
She said, "In October, we are going to have a huge event called the Web Summit in Portugal, which is the biggest tech event in the world. I am inviting start-ups in Goa to please come and attend the event because it is an excellent event to network."
Singla also informed that a Start-Up Web Portal was launched during PM Modi's visit to Portugal. She said that start-ups in both India and Portugal can connect using this web portal.
Singla further said, "We hope to do an event involving Indian start-ups so that start-ups in Goa can connect with web portal and do business together even without setting foot in Portugal."
Darryl Pereira, CEO Reira Group and vice president PIB Hub, said, "India and Portugal are home to a vibrant start-up community, many of who would like to venture into new markets in India and Europe. PIB Hub will act as a bridge between the two countries and provide assistance in various forms including hand-holding to entrepreneurs."
Singla said, "In the span of six months, we've had visits by the two Prime Ministers, which is unprecedented. We've had 20 memoranda of understanding signed, twenty agreements in the areas of defence, space, science and technology, start-ups, renewable energy, sports, youth exchanges, culture, films. Practically, there is a deepening and understanding of relationships in every area and today India and Portugal are talking about building satellites together."
