Gujarat has emerged as favourable destination for trade: CM Patel

He added that Gujarat has become a policy-driven state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “In our state, we have formulated sector-specific policies that give impetus to the development of various fields.” He cited the examples of India’s first semiconductor plant that is coming up in Gujarat.

Highlighting the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), Patel said the biennial investment meeting has played an important role in giving new heights to Gujarat’s development.

Expressing confidence that the first Vibrant Summit has emerged as a foundation for making India a developed country by 2047, CM Patel said, “Between 2003 and 2024, 10 editions of VGGS have been organised. New records of industry, investment and employment have been established in this event. The success of VGGS held in January 2024 has opened new doors for the emerging sectors in the state. Along with traditional sectors, Gujarat’s focus is a lot on emerging sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, green hydrogen, EV, aerospace and defence equipment manufacturing”.

Referring to PM Modi’s recent visit to Gujarat when he inaugurated Sudarshan Bridge connecting Beyt Dwarka with Okha and also paid obeisance to the submerged ancient city of Dwarka Nagari, the two-time CM said, “This is the identity of Gujarat where there is heritage with development”. Under Modi’s leadership, the restoration work of heritage sites is being done along with infrastructure development with an eye on the future.

Patel also highlighted that Gujarat is the first state in the country that has its own gas grid, electricity grid, and water grid. When the world was still discussing renewable energy, the state started Charanaka Solar Park, he said.
He said it was due to the outline of port-led development given by PM Modi that Gujarat has the highest cargo-handling capacity in the country. The “world-class” rail, road, port and air connectivity makes it an ideal place for foreign trade, he said, adding, Gujarat International Finance-Tec City (GIFT City) has become the country’s gateway for the world in fin-tech.

The CM’s address was preceded by a panel discussion on Infrastructure: The Promise of Transformational Development. The panel comprised Gujarat Maritime Board Vice-Chairman & CEO Rajkumar Beniwal, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board CEO Banchhanidhi Pani, CEPT University Professor Jigna Desai, Adani University Professor Rachna Gangwar, and Savvy Group founder and Managing Director Sameer Sinha.