Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday inaugurated the third edition of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) – South Gujarat in Surat, marking the start of a two-day event aimed at boosting regional industrial growth, investment and global collaboration.
The conference, being held on May 1-2 at Auro University, is part of the state government’s broader initiative to replicate the model of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit at the regional level. The VGRC is being attended by the entire state cabinet and Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
The inaugural session followed the opening of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE), which runs alongside the conference and brings together industries, MSMEs, startups and government departments from districts across South Gujarat, including Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Dang.
The Chief Minister visited various pavilions and stalls at the exhibition and interacted with industrialists and startup representatives. He obtained detailed information on new technologies, green energy units, modern methods in agriculture and emerging models in the service sector.
He also encouraged participation of the private sector, industrialists and youth, terming their role “important” in the development of the state. Representatives from partner countries and industry leaders are participating in discussions focused on investment and collaboration.
Countries including Japan, Rwanda, Ukraine and Singapore are associated as partners for the South Gujarat edition, alongside organisations such as JETRO, USISPF, AMCHAM and KOTRA. The conference features a series of seminars, panel discussions and roundtables covering sectors such as agriculture and horticulture, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, startups, energy, fertilisers and global supply chains.
Special sessions on women’s empowerment and country-specific business opportunities are also part of the programme. A Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet, vendor development programmes and business-to-business and business-to-government meetings are being held to facilitate partnerships and investment opportunities.
The South Gujarat conference is one in a series of regional events organised between editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, with the aim of sustaining investment momentum and promoting inclusive economic development across the state.