Surat: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) 2026 on the occasion of Gujarat Foundation Day on May 1. This is the third edition of the (VGRC), which is being held at Auro University, Surat for two days from May 1 to May 2. In this mega event, Japan, Rwanda, Ukraine and Singapore have joined as partner countries and take the industries of South Gujarat to the global stage.
MOUs worth crores have been signed at the VGRC 2026. A special cover was also launched on the Surat Cut Diamond-GI tag. Along with this, 8 new smart GIDCs have also been announced.
Visionary focus on six districts of South Gujarat
Organized with the aim of realizing the ambitious vision of ‘Developed India@2047’, this conference will shed special light on the industrial potential of 6 districts of South Gujarat namely Surat, Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, Tapi and Valsad. The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) is also being organised in parallel with the conference from May 1 to 5. Spread over a vast area of about 12,000 square metres, the exhibition will be a vibrant hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities. From small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to multinational companies, it will showcase their products and technologies, which will take the regional economy to new heights.
8 Smart GIDCs announced
The state government has made an important announcement of 8 state-of-the-art Smart GIDC estates to take the industrial infrastructure of South Gujarat to new heights.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that this is a serious and important gathering. National and international businessmen, leaders, governments and partner countries look at Gujarat not only as an investment destination but also as a great ‘working model’ for India’s development. More than 60 days after the current energy crisis began, this is the first time I am addressing such a delegation and meeting. I must also share with you that during the last 60 days, I, along with my colleagues in the government and state governments, have been actively monitoring the supply situation of crude, LPG, petrol, diesel and aviation fuel on a daily basis. As per the objectives set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our first responsibility was to ensure uninterrupted supply to India.
Union Minister CR Paatil said that the heights of development that Gujarat is on today is due to the lion’s contribution of the entrepreneurs here.
Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Ono, while starting his address in Gujarati, said that the relations between India and Japan are very strong and historic. Especially in the field of bullet train project and industrial investments, the partnership between Japan and Gujarat is reaching new heights. Japan is ready to welcome more Indians to its country and the cultural and economic relations between the two countries will deepen further in the future.
Rwanda High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira has given a very positive response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to her country. She praised PM Modi’s leadership and said that this visit has started a new chapter in the diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries. Mukangira especially appreciated the support provided by India in the development works of Rwanda and initiatives like PM Modi’s ‘Girinka’ (a scheme to gift a cow to every poor family), which has brought a big change in the lives of the local people. He expressed confidence that this partnership between India and Rwanda will also guide the development of the African continent in the future.
Rwandan High Commissioner to India Jacqueline Mukangira enthusiastically said that her country is fully prepared to welcome more Indians. Referring to the strong cultural and economic ties between India and Rwanda, she said that there are many new opportunities in Rwanda for Indians in the fields of tourism, trade and education.
Takahiro Mori, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Nippon Steel Corporation, emphasized the company’s future investments, global expansion strategy, and the strengthening of the steel industry, especially in the United States.
