Surat: Gujarat positions itself as a "friend, partner and well-wisher" of investors, deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi said at the inaugural session of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) on Friday, expressing confidence that the Surat edition would see record investment agreements.
Policy Ease and Transparency Highlighted
Making a presentation on the state's industrial ecosystem, Sanghavi stressed policy ease and administrative transparency, saying industrialists no longer need to make repeated visits to government offices to secure incentives. He noted that in 2024–25, the industries department disbursed incentives worth Rs 5,619 crore, including direct assistance of Rs 1,300 crore to around 11,000 traders from Surat a day earlier.
Gujarat's Growth Trajectory
Highlighting Gujarat's growth trajectory over the past two decades, he said the state's GDP rose from Rs 1.29 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs 7.20 lakh crore in 2012-13, further expanding to Rs 21.90 lakh crore in 2022-23. It is projected to reach Rs 27.4 lakh crore by 2025. "With an 8.2% share in India's GDP, Gujarat has emerged as the country's growth engine," he said, crediting entrepreneurs for the momentum.
Industrial Strength and Investment
Sanghavi also pointed to the state's industrial strength, noting that the number of MSME units has increased fourfold, while Gujarat continues to remain a national leader in attracting foreign direct investment. Referring to earlier regional conferences, he said MoUs worth Rs 3.24 lakh crore were signed in Mehsana and Rs 5.78 lakh crore in Rajkot, expressing confidence that Surat would also clock record agreements. He added that the state has drawn up the Surat Economic Development Plan 2047, linking districts of South Gujarat to raise the region's share in state GDP to 20% by 2047. Sanghavi also noted that South Gujarat accounts for nearly 60% of India's solar panels and cells production.
