Gandhinagar/Surat, April 29 Preparations for the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) to be held in Surat on May 1 and 2 were reviewed in detail at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar, as the state moves to position the event as a key platform for regional industrial expansion and investment promotion.
Following the meeting, government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said VGRC is intended to go beyond a conventional conference and act as a structured framework for the economic transformation.
"It is not just a conference, but a roadmap for the economic transformation of Surat as well as the entire Central and South Gujarat region," he said.
According to the state government, the conference will focus on showcasing and expanding the industrial capacity of 16 districts across South and Central Gujarat, including Surat, Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Tapi and Valsad, as well as Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mahisagar, Narmada, Panchmahal and Vadodara.
The two-day event will be held at AURO University in Surat and will bring together stakeholders from sectors such as chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles, gems and jewellery, green energy systems, fintech, aerospace, defence and information technology services, along with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The focus will be on linking regional industrial clusters with global value chains and investment networks.
Alongside the conference, a Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition will run from May 1 to 5, incorporating a vendor development programme and an international reverse buyer-seller meet designed to facilitate direct engagement between local businesses and overseas buyers.
Officials said the platform will also support structured discussions on sectoral challenges and investment opportunities, with outcomes expected to be carried forward to the next Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
The conference coincides with Gujarat Foundation Day celebrations in Surat on May 1.
A parade will begin at Y Junction and proceed to the Dumas seafront, featuring tableaux from various government departments, followed by a cultural programme organised by the General Administration Department.
The VGRC will open with the inauguration of the regional exhibition, followed by a formal session addressed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will deliver the inaugural address, and representatives from participating countries and industry leaders are also expected to attend.
International participation this year includes Japan, Rwanda, Ukraine and Singapore as partner countries.
Organisations such as JETRO, USISPF, AMCHAM, KOTRA and Russian trade representatives will also be involved as partner institutions to strengthen trade and investment engagement.
As part of the programme, the Chief Minister will release a special commemorative cover on the “Surat Cut Diamond – GI Tag”.
Diplomatic participation is expected from Rwanda’s High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira, Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk, Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong, and Japan’s Ambassador Keiichi Ono.
The state government is also expected to announce new smart GIDC industrial estates in South Gujarat during the event, alongside the exchange of memoranda of understanding and strategic partnerships across sectors.
Over the two days, seminars and panel discussions will be held covering agriculture, horticulture, textiles, chemicals, petrochemicals, startups, nuclear energy, fertilisers, natural gas, circular economy, skill development, aerospace and defence, fisheries and cooperatives, green energy and hydrogen, eco-tourism, and urban economic development zones.
Dedicated country sessions by Japan and Ukraine are also planned.
Officials said VGRC 2026 forms part of the broader “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision, aimed at strengthening regional economies, promoting innovation and expanding international linkages.
Previous editions of the conference were held in North Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch, where they contributed to investment mobilisation and sectoral engagement across multiple industries.
--IANS
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