New Delhi, Feb 12 (KNN) The food processing industry remains an untapped opportunity for Goa and that local entrepreneurs, especially small and micro enterprises, need to look at locally available raw material while starting new ventures, said Pramod Sawant, Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker.

Speaking at a training programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in food processing, Sawant said that investment in equipment and logistics could provide a much-needed boost for the food processing industry.

“I assure you that the state government will sort out all the MSME-related government compliances on time,” Sawant said at the programme, which was organized by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with ASSOCHAM, NABARD, and other organisations.

Chairman, MSME Assocham National Council Manguirish Pai Raikar said that the agro- and food-processing sector was a sunrise sector in India with less risk factor for start-ups.

“There is a big market in South Africa and Europe for canned food products, and the world is looking for such products,” he said.

Several representatives from the local industry raised concerns over policies that made it unviable for small entrepreneurs to take up food processing.

It was pointed out that self-help groups, which largely comprise women, were forced to undertake audits and prepare financial statement reports in order to take loans, a practice that is followed only in Goa. (KNN Bureau)