New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): A Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the South Gujarat area held at AURO University, Surat on May 1-2 was positioned as a landmark occasion that aimed to bridge regional aspirations with world ambitions.
As a strategic platform for financial activation, the two-day convention culminated in 2,792 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and proposed investments totalling Rs 3.53 Lakh crore.
The VGRC focus space coated the entire districts of Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Surat, Tapi, and Valsad. The occasion witnessed a large turnout, reflecting the immense investor curiosity within the South Gujarat area. With registrations of over 20,000 nationwide and worldwide delegates and participation from over 150 worldwide representatives from 27 nations, the VGRC (South Gujarat) mirrored the increasing world footprint of Gujarat.
For this version, Japan, Singapore, Rwanda, and Ukraine served as companion nations. They have been supported by prestigious Partner Organisations — the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Trade Representation of the Russian Federation, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in India, and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel inaugurated the Regional Conference on May 1. Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi addressed the gathering throughout the inaugural session. The dignitaries who attended the inaugural day included Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil.
Foreign delegates who participated within the session included Keiichi ONO, Ambassador of Japan to India; Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India; Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to India; Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commissioner of Rwanda to India; and Lalatiana Accouche, High Commissioner of Seychelles to India.
Industrial stalwarts and different attendees on the primary day included Nirmal Minda, President- ASSOCHAM; Nobuo Okochi, Managing Executive Officer, Nippon Steel Corporation; Dilip Oommen, CEO, AM/NS India; Savjibhai Dholakiya (Padmashri), Chairman, Hari Krishna Exports; Nilesh Mandlewala (Padmashri), Founder & President, Donate Life; Mathurbhai Savani (Padmashri), Chairman, Kiran Hospitals; and Yazdi Karanjiya (Padmashri), Teacher, Author, and Actor.
On May2 , Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers, J P. Nadda, attended the occasion and gave the deal with on the valedictory session.
Alongside the convention, the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) spanning throughout 12,000 sq. m. was organised from May 1-5. It featured over 300 exhibitors throughout key sectors corresponding to Engineering, Agriculture, Gems & Jewellery, Textiles, Renewable Energy, MSME and Startups, showcasing their merchandise, applied sciences, and options to members from throughout India and abroad. The exhibition witnessed a footfall of over 70,000 guests from May 1-May 5.
A key spotlight was the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM). During the RBSM, greater than 1,210 MoUs have been signed, and over Rs 580 crore value of enterprise inquiries have been generated for exports. This platform translated dialogue into tangible alternatives, facilitating over 4,200 structured business-to-business (B2B) conferences instantly connecting 59 worldwide consumers with greater than 1,200 Gujarat-based sellers.
Through the Udyami Mela held as a part of the VGRE, in-principle approval letters totalling Rs 300+ crore have been issued. Banks additionally issued sanction letters valued at greater than Rs 1,650 crore to MSME entrepreneurs. Furthermore, over 200 ZED certifications have been issued to MSME models by QCI and 100+ artisan playing cards have been issued to strengthen competitiveness and recognise native craftsmanship. As a part of the valedictory session on May 2, 10 awards have been handed out. These included eight to MSMEs and two to artisans.
At the exhibition, which showcased South Gujarat’s distinctive agricultural and artisanal heritage to worldwide delegates, complete gross sales touched almost Rs 38 lakh. Of this, girls entrepreneurs sponsored by the Gujarat Women Economic Development Corporation did enterprise of almost Rs 14 lakh.
The Mango Festival, a primary on the VGRE, witnessed gross sales touching almost Rs 8 lakh, whereas artisans sponsored by iNDEXTc managed to promote items value over Rs 5.55 lakh. Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company-promoted Sakhi Mandal bought merchandise value a bit over Rs 5 lakh, whereas Tribal Haat managed to do gross sales of Rs 5.31 lakh.
Global guests gained first-hand insights into the area’s prowess via industrial visits to models specialising in lab-grown diamonds, meals processing, and textiles. By combining regional energy with a worldwide imaginative and prescient, the Regional Conference in Surat has enhanced the positioning of South Gujarat as one of many engines for additional financial growth of the state. (ANI)