Panaji, June 2 (IANS) Goa received foreign remittances to the tune of Rs.700 crore in 2008, which accounted for 6.3 percent of the state gross domestic product (SGDP) during the period, a study released here Tuesday said.
The study, ‘Goa Migration Survey 2008′, was released by the Goa non-resident Indians (NRI) commissioner Eduardo Faleiro.

Kerala-based Centre for Development Studies (CDS) conducted the survey across nearly 600 households in the state.

According to the report, the Gulf countries were a favourite working destination for Goans planning to migrate. A whopping 56 percent of Goan emigrants are living in the Gulf countries.

Europe was a distant second with 13 percent Goans settlers, 11 percent in South and Southeast Asia and 10 percent in the US and Canada, the report said.

It added that nearly 74 percent of Goans leaving the state for greener pastures abroad were Christians, while 50 percent were from the Christian-dominated Salcete in south Goa.

The study has also pointed out to the rising number of fraudulent travel agents who fleece and dupe aspiring emigrants by falsely promising them jobs.

Releasing the report, Faleiro said it had recommended several legislative changes to ensure that such fraudulent practices were checked.

“The Emigrant Act of 1983 needs to be changed along with the Tourism and Trade Act in order to facilitate a stricter vigil and a stronger penal deterrent,” Faleiro told reporters.

He added that police investigations into the over-20 cases against fake agents proceeded at a snails pace.

Nearly 52 percent of the average cost of emigration comprises the money paid to recruiting agents, Faleiro said.