VGRC organised in Rajkot emerges as a major attraction for investors
RAJKOT : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, while participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, said that the mantra of “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” is resonating everywhere today. What began as a dream two decades ago has now become a trusted global benchmark, with 10 Vibrant Summits held so far. Launched to showcase Gujarat’s potential to the world, the Vibrant Summit has today evolved beyond investment into a strong platform for global growth and partnerships, where corporate groups, MSMEs, startups, and international institutions are progressing together on the path of development.
Highlighting Gujarat’s vast potential, the Prime Minister said that every region of the state has its own unique strengths, be it the long coastline, tribal areas, industrial clusters, or the strong traditions of agriculture and animal husbandry. He noted that India is steadily moving toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. India leads the world in milk production and production of generic medicines, is the largest producer of vaccines, and the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones. India’s UPI is the world’s top real-time digital payment platform, the country has the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, and also ranks among the top three in solar power capacity and metro networks.
He added that due to the mantra of “Reform, Perform, and Transform,” all global institutions of the world are eager to invest in India today. The IMF considers India the engine of global growth, and rating agencies like Fitch are praising India’s economic stability with unprecedented certainty amid global uncertainty. The Prime Minister stated with pride that India has today become a country of limitless possibilities, with stability and continuity in policies. Along with the expansion of the middle class, their purchasing power is also increasing. Due to all these factors, India has today become the first choice for investors.
The Prime Minister expressed strong confidence for investors, stating, “This is the time, the right time,” and described the Vibrant Summit as the ideal platform. As India moves rapidly toward becoming a Viksit Bharat, he said this is the best time to invest in Saurashtra and Kutch. He added that the region has shown that even the biggest challenges can be overcome through honesty and hard work, and that the people of Saurashtra and Kutch have transformed their future through their efforts.
Saurashtra and Kutch are not merely regions of opportunity, but have become the main attraction of India’s growth. Highlighting the significant role of this region in making India a global manufacturing hub, he said that today more than 2.5 lakh MSMEs are operational in Rajkot alone. From screwdrivers to auto parts, machine tools, and even rocket parts are being manufactured in Rajkot. This region supports the entire value chain of high-technology manufacturing.
Speaking further about Morbi, he said that Morbi today is one of the major producers of tiles and is setting global benchmarks. At one time, I had dreamed of making the Morbi–Jamnagar–Rajkot triangle a ‘Mini Japan,’ and today that dream is becoming a reality. Dholera Special Investment Region is today a hub of modern manufacturing, where India’s first semiconductor fabrication facility is being developed. Not only this, Saurashtra and Kutch are today also becoming hubs of green growth and energy security. The world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park with a capacity of 30 gigawatts is being developed in Kutch, which is five times larger than the city of Paris.
He added that India is not just committed to clean energy but is also advancing it at a ‘commercial scale reality’. Green hydrogen has strong potential, and rapid progress is being made across the country, with Kutch and Jamnagar emerging as key hubs for green hydrogen production. The large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being set up in Kutch will also help ensure grid stability and reliable use of renewable energy.
Emphasising the strategic importance of Saurashtra and Kutch, the Prime Minister said that this region is equipped with world-class ports through which a major share of India’s exports passes. Ports like Pipavav and Mundra have today become major hubs of India’s automobile exports.
Along with infrastructure, Gujarat is also leading in preparing a skilled workforce for industries. The state has an international ecosystem for education and skill development. The Gujarat Government’s Kaushalya Skill University, in collaboration with universities from Australia and Singapore, is preparing youth with future-ready skills. In addition, the country’s first National Defence University and Gati Shakti University are preparing skilled manpower for every sector such as roads, railways, airways, waterways, and logistics. Two leading universities from Australia have also started their campuses in Gujarat, demonstrating that along with investment, a talent pipeline is also assured here.
Speaking about Gujarat’s tourism sector, the Prime Minister said that there is a wonderful blend of nature, adventure, culture, and heritage here. The National Maritime Heritage Complex being developed at Lothal is a symbol of India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage. The Rann Utsav of Kutch and the tent city there are special attractions for tourists. For wildlife enthusiasts, the experience of seeing Asiatic lions in Gir Forest is unique, with more than 9 lakh tourists visiting every year. In addition to the Blue Flag certified Shivrajpur Beach, there are many possibilities for beach tourism in Mandvi, Somnath, and Dwarka, while Diu is emerging as a premier destination for water sports.
Emphasizing the development of Saurashtra, the Prime Minister said that every investment made in this region will give new momentum to the development of Gujarat and the entire country. Referring to the statement of the High Commissioner of Rwanda, he said that the 200 Gir cows gifted by India to Rwanda have given a major boost to the rural economy there. Today, thousands of families in Rwanda own Gir cows, and they can be seen in every household.
To achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, the Government of India has emphasised the ‘Reform Express,’ under which next-generation reforms have been introduced in every sector. The recently implemented GST reforms have particularly benefited MSMEs. In addition, 100 percent FDI has been allowed in the insurance sector so that every citizen of the country can receive insurance coverage. The government has modernised the six-decade-old Income Tax law and implemented historic labour codes to create a uniform framework for both workers and industries.
Stating that India is today becoming a global hub for data-driven innovation, AI research, and semiconductor manufacturing, he further added that major reforms have also been undertaken in the nuclear power sector to meet the growing power demand, and civil nuclear energy has been opened for private participation, presenting a major opportunity for investors.
Assuring investors, the Prime Minister said that India’s reform journey will not stop now. He stated that investors have not come here merely to sign MoUs, but have connected themselves with the development and heritage of Saurashtra, and every penny of their investment will yield excellent returns from here. He congratulated the Gujarat Government team for organising such regional conferences ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2027.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendr Patel said that the then Chief Minister and present Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2003 with a vision to present Gujarat’s industrial potential to the world. Due to the efforts of the people, public representatives, administration, and a series of Vibrant Summits, Gujarat has today become the growth engine of the country and the most preferred destination for investment. As a result of the success of the Vibrant Summit over the past two decades, the state has received foreign investment worth Rs. 3.57 lakh crore in the last 20 years.
Giving an overview of the state’s holistic development, he said that Gujarat has today become a “Global Gateway to the Future” and is setting new benchmarks of progress. Gujarat is moving toward becoming a hub in several emerging sectors such as automobiles, semiconductors, financial services, AI, and green energy.
Referring to the approximately 98,000 MoUs signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, he said that 25,500 of them were from the Saurashtra–Kutch region, of which 78 percent of the projects have already been commissioned.
Regarding the Vibrant Conference of Kutch–Saurashtra, he said that the 12 districts of this region have a robust ecosystem for investment in sectors such as renewable energy, world-class ports, shipbuilding, agro-processing, ceramics, chemicals, fisheries, and the blue economy.
To realize the concept of “Vocal for Local and Local for Global” at the district level in Gujarat, the state government has introduced the concept of increasing district GDP similar to the state GDP. To give a new direction to district development, six regional growth hubs are being developed in the state. He also added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has further strengthened the flame of faith among the masses through the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv.” The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is being launched to accelerate self-reliance through entrepreneurship.
Delivering the welcome address at the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Saurashtra Kutch, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Harsh Sanghavi said that at one time Gujarat was known only from “Vapi to Tapi” in the industrial sector. The then Chief Minister and present Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2003, giving a major boost to Gujarat in the direction of investment and manufacturing. Due to Vibrant Gujarat, several sectors have developed across all four directions of the state as manufacturing hubs. Crediting the success of Vibrant Gujarat to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Sanghavi said that the event, which began with 80 MoUs, has today resulted in the completion of 98,000 projects.
Providing information about this event, Shri Harsh Sanghavi added that more than 400 exhibitors are participating in the conference today. Representatives from more than 16 countries have participated in the Reverse Buyers Sellers Meet. He expressed confidence that the organisation of this conference would greatly benefit sectors including MSMEs.
Stating that all necessary infrastructure facilities for investment have been created in Gujarat, Shri Harsh Sanghavi added that the government has developed robust connectivity including roads, railways, ports, and air connectivity. Predefined industrial policies, government support and security for traders make Gujarat the best choice for investors. Due to Vibrant Gujarat, lakhs of youth in Gujarat are getting employment. Vibrant Gujarat has fulfilled the business dreams of many people. The dream of Gujarat’s “GIFT City” as a premier fintech city has been realized through the Prime Minister’s vision. A large ecosystem has been created through the industrial development of smart city Dholera as well as Sanand and Becharaji. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Gujarat Government has made remarkable progress on 23 parameters of Ease of Doing Business, and Shri Sanghavi expressed confidence that the entire team of Gujarat is committed to realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of development.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced 13 new smart industrial estates to be developed over 3,540 acres across seven districts – Savarkundla (Amreli), Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, and Surendranagar – by the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation. He also e-inaugurated a newly constructed Medical Device Park spread over 336 acres at Nagalpar in Rajkot district.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister was felicitated with a shawl and a memento. Artist Shri Gitaben Rabari mesmerized the audience by singing the song “Haal Tane Haal, Saurashtra Batavu,” showcasing the culture of Saurashtra–Kutch. The attendees also watched with keen interest a documentary film on the resolve of “Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat @2047.”
The event was attended by Union Minister Shri Nimuben Bambhaniya, all Ministers Shri Kunvarji Bavaliya, Shri Rushikesh Patel, Shri Trikam Chhanga, Shri Rivabaa Jadeja, all MPs Shri Parshottam Rupala, Shri Rambhai Mokariya, District Panchayat President Shri Pravinaben Rangani, all MLAs Shri Bhanuben Babariya, Shri Dr. Darshita Shah including MLAs, former Governor Shri Vaju Bhai Vala, former Minister Shri Raghavji Patel, Chief Secretary Shri M. K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Jayanti Ravi, M.D. of Tata Chemicals Shri R. Mukundan, and other senior officials, senior officers, entrepreneurs, and foreign industrialists.
Important meetings are being held between industrialists, startups, and government departments under the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Saurashtra-Kutch’ organised in Rajkot. Through Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings at the VGRC in Rajkot, new momentum will be provided to the industrial development of Saurashtra-Kutch.
Positive momentum is evident in the industrial sector at the Vibrant Conference in Rajkot. Local industrialists are showing strong interest in new projects. The B2B and B2G sessions are likely to lead to large-scale MoUs across sectors, creating new employment opportunities in Rajkot, Kutch, and nearby regions. Industrialists, startups, and others are directly interacting with senior officials from various government departments.
At the Vibrant Conference in Rajkot, stalls and help desks have been set up at Dome-1 of the exhibition section to enable industrialists, startups, and others to interact directly with various government departments. A large turnout of industrialists and startups was observed at the B2B and B2G meetings to learn about the best investment opportunities.
Through these meetings, entrepreneurs directly convey their issues and new proposals to the government. Additionally, arrangements have been made in B2B meetings for industrialists to directly finalise business deals with other industrialists. The Vibrant Regional Conference is proving to be an important platform for entrepreneurs to advance through collaboration
In Business-to-Government meetings, departments such as GIDC, Health, Tourism, GIFT City, MSME and Startup Promotion, Agriculture, and others are providing direct guidance to entrepreneurs. The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is proving effective in providing a global platform for small and medium-sized industries in Saurashtra-Kutch.
Notably, more than 1,800 B2B and B2G meetings have been organised during this Vibrant Regional Conference.