Surat: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has welcomed the Gujarat Budget 2026-27 presented by the state government, calling it business and industry-oriented. The chamber has described the steps taken in the budget for the development of the state’s industries, exports and especially the textile sector as positive and far-sighted.
SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi said, Rs. 2,775 crore has been allocated this year under the textile scheme as against Rs. 2,000 crore allocated last year in the budget, hence this announcement is important for the comprehensive development of the textile industry. He added that Surat has the highest number of textile units in the country and since the complete value chain from fiber to finished fabric is available here, Surat is considered the leading textile hub of the country.
Therefore, the industries of Surat will get the most direct benefit from the announcements made under the textile scheme. The government’s steps for modern machinery, technology upgradation, increase in production capacity and export growth will give a new impetus to the textile industry of Surat. He expressed confidence that these schemes will be implemented quickly, which will result in further acceleration of industrial development of the entire South Gujarat including Surat and will also increase employment generation.
The state government has announced the establishment of the Gujarat State Export Promotion Council, which will prove to be important for the exporters of the state. Through this council, exporters will get training, market intelligence, guidance on international markets, policy support and branding support. Along with this, it will help Gujarat manufacturers and exporters to become competitive in the changing conditions of global trade. The main objective of the government is to make the export process from the state easier, faster and more systematic and to take industries to new international markets.
SGCCI vice-president Ashok Jirawala said,* The decisions taken by the state government to promote exports, enhance industry support structure, infrastructure and increase connectivity with global markets will further strengthen Gujarat as the leading industrial and export hub of the country.
He said that to take the state forward on a new path of development, the formation of six economic regions has been announced, which include Kutch Economic Region, Saurashtra Economic Region, Coastal Saurashtra Economic Region, North Gujarat Economic Region, Central Gujarat Economic Region and Surat Economic Region. A total of Rs 6,600 crore has been made for the development of these six economic regions, out of which Rs 1,000 crore is allocated to the Surat Economic Region, which will give a significant boost to industrial, infrastructure and employment development in the entire South Gujarat region including Surat.
Former SGCCI president Vijay Mewawala, said,* To promote innovation and startup ecosystem, Rs 80 crore has been allocated for the development of i-Hubs at Ahmedabad and four regional centers, including Surat. This step will give a boost to technology-based industries and startup activities in Surat.
An important announcement has been made to set up a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting the two main economic centers of the state, Ahmedabad and Surat, with satellite towns. This project will make travel faster and more accessible, strengthen connectivity between industrial areas and give a new impetus to urban development.
To provide a more conducive environment for industries, the budget has announced the development of 25 GIDCs as Smart GIDCs and the upgradation of 120 mini GIDCs with an investment of Rs 1,300 crore. This step will boost the ease of doing business and modern facilities will be available for new industries.
In the field of health services, as an important step, it has been announced to set up a multi-specialty hospital in Surat compared to Ahmedabad, which will make modern and high-level health services available to the citizens of South Gujarat at the local level.
Gujarat’s performance has also been remarkable in terms of economic parameters. The unemployment rate of the state of Gujarat is only 1.2 percent, which is much lower than the national average. Gujarat’s contribution to India’s total GDP has increased to 8.3 percent, from 6.7 percent in 2010-11. These figures clearly indicate the strong industrial and economic progress of the state.
To further strengthen urban development, an allocation of Rs. 16,116 crore has been made under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shehari Vikas Yojana, which will give a boost to the development of infrastructure, transport, water, sewage and other civic amenities in cities.
