JP Nadda: South Gujarat set for major economic leap at VGRC Surat
Synopsis
At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Surat, Union Minister J.P. Nadda declared South Gujarat poised for a major economic leap, spotlighting the region's diamond, textile, and chemical clusters — and linking tribal communities to the garmenting industry as a new frontier of inclusive growth.
Key Takeaways
Nadda addressed the concluding session of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) at Auro University, Surat on 2 May 2025 .
Gujarat contributes approximately 8% to India's GDP, 17% to manufacturing output, 27% to merchandise exports, and 40% to total cargo handling.
Surat's diamond and textile industries, and chemical and fertiliser clusters in Bharuch , Dahej , and Ankleshwar , have grown into global hubs.
The garmenting industry is being linked with tribal areas to open new development avenues for local communities.
Nadda credited the Vibrant Gujarat initiative — launched by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi before 2003 — as a model of industry-government dialogue adopted by other states.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Saturday, 2 May declared that South Gujarat's emergence as a manufacturing hub reflects the state's broader economic strength and its capacity to convert challenges into opportunities. He was addressing the concluding session of the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) held at Auro University in Surat.
Conference Sets Stage for Economic Leap
Nadda said the VGRC had laid the foundation for the region to take a
Point of View
Stretching back to 2003. The tribal-garmenting linkage is a notable new strand: if executed with genuine supply-chain integration, it could broaden Gujarat's growth story beyond its established coastal-industrial belt. However, the conference's impact will ultimately be measured not by declarations but by the investment commitments that convert into ground-level jobs and infrastructure. Gujarat's outsized share of India's exports and cargo handling gives it structural leverage, but the state must also address its regional disparities — South Gujarat's tribal hinterland remains far removed from the gleam of GIFT City and Dahej.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC)?
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is a regional edition of Gujarat's flagship investment summit, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs for sectoral discussions and business-to-business and business-to-government interactions. The 2025 edition was held on 1 and 2 May at Auro University in Surat.
What did J.P. Nadda say about Gujarat's economic contribution?
Nadda stated that Gujarat contributes about 8% to India's GDP, 17% to manufacturing output, 27% to merchandise exports, and 40% to total cargo handling, describing the state as a globally connected and competitive economic engine.
Which industries in South Gujarat were highlighted at the VGRC?
Nadda highlighted Surat's diamond and textile industries and the chemical and fertiliser clusters in Bharuch, Dahej, and Ankleshwar as having developed into global hubs. He also noted the emerging linkage between the garmenting industry and tribal areas.
How is the garmenting industry being linked to tribal areas in Gujarat?
According to Nadda, the garmenting industry is being connected to tribal communities in the region to open new avenues of development for local populations, marking what he described as a significant step for both the region and the state.
What projects did Nadda cite as examples of Gujarat turning adversity into opportunity?
Nadda cited the Statue of Unity, GIFT City, and the high-speed rail project as examples of policy-driven initiatives that demonstrate how Gujarat has turned adversity into opportunity and that he said would play a foundational role in achieving a developed India.
