Surat RBSM connects 45+ global buyers from 15 countries with Gujarat MSMEs
Synopsis
More than 45 global buyers from 15 countries descended on Surat for a structured Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet, giving South Gujarat's MSMEs rare face-to-face access to international trade partners across textiles, pharma, and chemicals — the third such regional push under Vibrant Gujarat's decentralisation drive.
Key Takeaways
More than 45 international buyers from 15 countries participated in the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) in Surat on 5 May 2025 .
The event was organised by FIEO in collaboration with the Gujarat state government at Auro University .
Participating countries included the UK , Australia , Romania , and the UAE , among others.
Key sectors covered: textiles , chemicals , petrochemicals , pharmaceuticals , engineering , and food and agro products .
The Surat VGRC is the third regional edition , following earlier conferences in Mehsana and Rajkot .
The initiative aims to decentralise industrial promotion and integrate local MSMEs into global supply chains .
More than 45 international buyers from 15 countries gathered in Surat on 5 May 2025 for a Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM), creating structured trade linkages with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from South Gujarat during the third edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). The two-day event, held at Auro University, is part of a broader state-led push to decentralise industrial promotion and expand global market access for regional exporters.
Key Developments
The RBSM was organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) in collaboration with the Gujarat state government. Buyers from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates participated in structured B2B meetings with local exporters. According to officials, the platform was designed to enable direct interaction between international buyers and Indian MSME units, with the aim of building long-term commercial partnerships and expanding export networks.
Sectors in Focus
Sectors highlighted during the conference included textiles and garments, chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and food and agro-based products — industries that form the backbone of Surat's industrial base. Participating enterprises engaged in discussions on supply capabilities, quality requirements, and potential export contracts, according to conference briefings.
Beyond Trade Meetings
In addition to B2B sessions, the conference featured knowledge-based seminars, technical sessions, and B2G (business-to-government) interactions. These brought together industry representatives and government officials to discuss regulatory processes, export facilitation, and sector-specific development needs. Officials noted that the RBSM platform is intended to provide MSMEs with direct access to international buyers and global markets, supporting their export readiness and integration into global supply chains.
Part of a Wider Strategy
The Surat edition follows earlier VGRC regional conferences held in Mehsana and Rajkot, reflecting a deliberate strategy to spread industrial promotion beyond Gujarat's traditional commercial hubs. This third edition placed particular emphasis on enhancing business connectivity and integrating local industries into wider international trade networks. As Gujarat's export ecosystem matures, the success of RBSM-style platforms will be closely watched as a model for MSME-led export growth across other states.
Point of View
Not a contract. Gujarat's earlier VGRC editions in Mehsana and Rajkot generated similar buzz, but verifiable export order data from those rounds has not been made public. If FIEO and the state government publish conversion rates — how many meetings translated into actual export deals — this platform could become a replicable model. Without that accountability layer, it risks being another well-attended event that moves little trade on the ground.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) held in Surat?
The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet is a structured trade platform organised by FIEO and the Gujarat state government where international buyers travel to meet local MSME exporters directly. The Surat edition, held on 5 May 2025 at Auro University, saw over 45 buyers from 15 countries engage in B2B meetings with South Gujarat's exporters.
Which countries participated in the Surat RBSM 2025?
Buyers from more than 15 countries participated, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates. The structured meetings covered sectors such as textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.
What is the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC)?
The VGRC is a series of regional industrial conferences organised as part of Gujarat's broader Vibrant Gujarat initiative, aimed at decentralising industrial promotion across different zones of the state. The Surat edition is the third, following earlier conferences in Mehsana and Rajkot.
Which sectors were highlighted at the Surat VGRC?
Key sectors included textiles and garments, chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and food and agro-based products — all core components of Surat and South Gujarat's industrial base.
How does the RBSM benefit Gujarat's MSMEs?
The RBSM gives MSME units direct face-to-face access to international buyers, bypassing traditional intermediary channels. Officials said the platform is designed to improve export readiness, build long-term commercial partnerships, and help small enterprises integrate into global supply chains.
