Vibrant Gujarat Conference in Surat: Puri, Patil to Attend

Surat, Apr 30 (PTI) Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and CR Patil will take part in the third edition of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) to be held here on May 1 and 2, an official said on Thursday.

The VGRC, which is focused on the holistic development of south Gujarat, will be held at Auro University here, while the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) will be held from May 1 to 5 at the same venue, he said.

"Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil will attend the third edition of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), focused on the holistic development of couth Gujarat, to be held on May 1 and 2," a release said.

This year Japan, Rwanda, Ukraine, and Singapore have joined as partner countries for VGRC, while international organizations such as JETRO, USISPF, AMCHAM, KOTRA, and the Russian Trade Representation will participate as partner organizations, it added.

Foreign diplomats will also attend the conference, including Rwanda's High Commissioner to India Jacqueline Mukangira, Ukraine's Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to India Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk, Singapore's High Commissioner to India Simon Wong and Japan's Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono, the release said.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the south Gujarat region will benefit from this conference, as it will see numerous memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and investments.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will interact with industrialists and leaders from various sectors on the first day of the conference, he added.


During the day, Sanghavi distributed financial assistance worth Rs 1,349 crore to 11,029 entrepreneurs with a single click.

The release said the state government will announce a new and smart GIDC estate in south Gujarat, adding that a series of seminars, panel discussions, and roundtables will be organized, covering various sectors and emerging opportunities during the two-day conference.

"On the first day, seminars will focus on sectors such as agriculture and horticulture, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, startups, nuclear energy, fertilizers, natural gas, and more, aligned with evolving global supply chains. Additionally, Japan and Ukraine will host seminars on topics like women empowerment," the release stated.

On the second day, a regional MSME conclave will be held, featuring seminars on gems and jewellery, circular economy, skill development, aerospace and defence, fisheries and cooperatives, green energy and green hydrogen, ecotourism, and urban economic zone development, it added.

The VGRE will include parallel events such as vendor development programs, an international Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM), and an industry fair.

The release noted that it will provide a strong platform for industries, MSMEs, startups, and government departments from districts like Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Surat, Tapi, and Valsad.

The state government aims to drive balanced and sustainable industrial growth in south Gujarat, leveraging strategic partnerships and active investor participation to elevate the region's development, the release said.