Surat, April 1 (IANS) A regional push to attract targeted industrial investment will underpin the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) scheduled to be held in Surat on May 1 and 2, coinciding with Gujarat Foundation Day and aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision.
According to officials, the conference is being organised under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
It is intended to strengthen regional industrial ecosystems in South and Central Gujarat by attracting investments and linking local industries with global markets.
“The primary objective of the conference is to attract industrial investments at the regional level and connect local industries with the global market to realise the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’,” an official statement said, adding that the event is expected to mark a significant milestone for the state.
The two-day conference will cover 16 districts, including Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Surat, Tapi and Valsad in South Gujarat, and Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mahisagar, Narmada, Panchmahal and Vadodara in Central Gujarat.
Officials said the platform would go beyond showcasing regional achievements and serve to promote innovation and facilitate strategic investments.
Sector-focussed seminars will be held during the event, with emphasis on chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, green energy ecosystems and information technology.
“Various sector-specific seminars will be organised, with special emphasis on emerging sectors such as chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, green energy ecosystem and IT,” the statement said.
It added that discussions would also explore opportunities in aerospace, defence, fintech, biotechnology and biopharma, electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), IT and IT-enabled services, and micro, small and medium enterprises.
Alongside the conference, a Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) will be organised, featuring a vendor development programme, entrepreneur meets and an international reverse buyer-seller meet.
Officials said these initiatives are aimed at providing local entrepreneurs with international exposure and facilitating business linkages.
“The programme will not be limited to showcasing regional achievements but will also serve as a strong platform to promote innovation and strengthen the state’s growth story through strategic investments,” the statement said, adding that the outcomes of the conference will be presented at the forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
The government noted that similar regional conferences have already been held as part of a broader strategy for balanced development.
Events for North Gujarat were organised in Mehsana on October 9 and 10 last year, while a conference for the Saurashtra-Kutch region was held in Rajkot on January 11 and 12.
According to the statement, the Rajkot conference saw participation from partner countries including Japan, South Korea, Rwanda and Ukraine, opening avenues for international collaboration.
The upcoming conference is expected to further strengthen core industries in South and Central Gujarat and contribute to the state’s overall development trajectory.
–IANS
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