Goa among India's five top investment destinations, secures 4th rank in Niti Aayog's assessment: Govt

Panaji, Jul 18 (PTI) Goa has emerged as one of India's top investment destinations after securing the fourth rank among all states and Union Territories in the NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index 2026, the state government said on Saturday. With an overall score of 53.1, Goa is among only five states and UTs categorised as "top performers" in the national index. The coastal state also secured the first position among seven City States and UTs. The Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) assesses the strength of the investment ecosystem across eight pillars, including infrastructure, business climate, resources, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health, government policy and environmental resilience. According to the report, Goa registered its highest score in regulatory ease at 71 per cent, followed by institutional environment (66 per cent), financial health (61 per cent), and infrastructure and resources (56 per cent each). The state also scored above the national average in seven of the eight parameters evaluated. The report highlighted Goa's performance in human resource development, noting that the state recorded the highest expenditure as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) on skilling and healthcare among city states and Union Territories. Nearly 25 per cent of higher education enrolment in Goa is in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses, with the state ranking first in its category for both STEM enrolment share and vocational training capacity, it said. The report also cited Goa's transport and logistics infrastructure as a key strength. Despite contributing around 0.35 per cent to India's GDP, Goa's two international airports account for nearly three per cent of the country's airport capacity, while its ports contribute around three per cent of the national port capacity and include dedicated terminals for containers, dry bulk cargo and petroleum products. Goa is also recognised for having the highest share of renewable energy in its power mix among all states and UTs. Transmission and distribution losses were estimated at around seven per cent, while businesses surveyed cited reliable electricity supply, strong road and rail connectivity, warehousing facilities and the availability of skilled manpower as major advantages, as per the report. The state government attributed the ranking to sustained efforts to improve infrastructure, simplify regulations, strengthen institutions, promote clean energy and enhance skill development under the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The government said it would continue to focus on attracting responsible investments, generating employment opportunities and strengthening Goa's position as a preferred investment destination. PTI RPS NSK