Union Health Minister and former Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) J. P. Nadda arrived in Gujarat on Saturday to attend the concluding session of the third edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) – South Gujarat in Surat. He is scheduled to address the valedictory programme alongside Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil.
Ahead of the closing session, Nadda held a courtesy meeting in Ahmedabad with state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma. The interaction took place shortly after his arrival in the state, as senior leaders gathered for the final day of the two-day conference.
The VGRC-South Gujarat event, which concludes on Saturday, has drawn participation from senior political leadership, diplomats and industry representatives. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is releasing a book titled ‘South Gujarat - The Industrial Catalyst’ during the valedictory session, marking a key programme highlight.
State Finance Minister Kanu Desai is delivering the opening address at the concluding session. The conference began on Friday at Auro University in Surat, where Chief Minister Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the event and addressed the inaugural session.
Sanghavi welcomed delegates from partner countries and various organisations, and noted the presence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Patil during the opening proceedings. In his presentation titled ‘South Gujarat as a Growth Centre’, Sanghavi said, “VGRC is aimed at accelerating regional industrial development, attracting sector-specific investments and strengthening global partnerships in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047,” while highlighting the role of policy implementation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Patel.
The concluding session is also being attended by industrialist Dr Faruk Patel, Rwanda’s High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira and Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk. Over the two-day conference, sectoral seminars and discussions have been held covering agriculture, horticulture, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, startups, nuclear energy, fertilisers, natural gas and women’s empowerment.
Country-specific sessions were also organised by Japan and Ukraine. The second day features a Regional MSME Conclave focusing on sectors including gems and jewellery, circular economy, skill development, aerospace and defence, fisheries and cooperatives, green energy and green hydrogen, ecotourism and urban economic zone development.
A session organised by the Trade Representation of Russia in India is also part of the programme. Alongside the conference, the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition is being held from May 1 to 5 across 12,000 square metres at a single venue.
It includes initiatives such as the Vendor Development Programme, International Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet and Udyami Mela, with participation from industries, MSMEs, startups and government departments across Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Surat, Tapi and Valsad districts.