Foreign delegates at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) — South Gujarat in Surat on 1 May 2025 highlighted surging international interest in Gujarat's industrial ecosystem, with representatives from Russia and Japan pointing to significant opportunities in semiconductors and renewable energy. The two-day conference, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is being held at Auro University on 1 and 2 May alongside the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE).

International Interest in Gujarat's Industrial Ecosystem

Aleksandr Fursov, Deputy Consul General of Russia in Mumbai, said the conference reflects the depth of economic ties between the two nations. "Russia and India have a long-standing tradition of bilateral economic cooperation. We always view conferences like Vibrant Gujarat as a great opportunity for business people to meet each other, get to know each other better, and learn about the opportunities each country has and is ready to offer to its partners," he told NationPress.

A Japanese delegate identified as Onio underlined Gujarat's growing role in emerging industries. "From my understanding, the semiconductor industry is a very important and rapidly growing sector here in Gujarat. Also, Gujarat is known as the state with the highest solar panel installations in India," he said, speaking at the Japan session of the conference.

Surat's Solar and Manufacturing Strengths

Rohit Mehta, former president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), said the initiative continues to create new avenues for industry. "At present, Surat has the highest concentration of solar panel manufacturing. There are many companies here, and now these companies are also focusing more on cell manufacturing. So, in the field of solar and renewable energy, there are tremendous opportunities," he told NationPress.

Faruk Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of KP Group, cited his own company's trajectory as evidence of the conference's impact. "Back in 2012 and 2013, during PM Modi's tenure, we signed an MoU worth ₹768 crore, and later we expanded it nearly 10 times. So, no one can have greater confidence than us about the fact that this South Gujarat Regional Conference is going to benefit many industries," he said.

The Vibrant Gujarat Legacy and New Direction

Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with originating the Vibrant Gujarat concept during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. "Since then, every Chief Minister of Gujarat has carried forward the Vibrant Gujarat programme. But this time, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has given it a new direction," Navadiya told NationPress.

This comes amid a broader state government effort to extend the Vibrant Gujarat model beyond its flagship global summit and into regional hubs, sustaining investment momentum across South Gujarat districts including Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, and Dang.

What the Conference Covers

The VGRC features seminars, sector-focused discussions, business-to-business and business-to-government meetings, and a reverse buyer-seller meet aimed at facilitating partnerships between industries, MSMEs, startups, and government bodies. The South Gujarat conference is one in a series of regional events held between editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, designed to keep investment pipelines active year-round.

With semiconductor supply chains and renewable energy capacity emerging as twin priorities for both domestic and foreign investors, the outcomes of the VGRC 2025 are likely to set the tone for Gujarat's pitch at the next global summit edition.