Surat, May 4 – The Business Connect Committee of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) successfully hosted the ‘SBC Business Conclave 2.0’ on Saturday at the Platinum Hall in Sarsana, Surat. The event brought together industry experts from across India who shared valuable insights with entrepreneurs on business development, crisis management, and modern investment strategies.
The keynote speaker, Ashish P. Somaiya, CEO of WhiteOak Capital Asset Management, emphasized that investing in the right stocks often yields better returns than traditional banking options. He pointed out that the stock market fundamentally operates on human psychology, and profits can be earned by making research-driven decisions.
SGCCI President Vijay Mevawala, in his inaugural address, stated that Surat is no longer just known for textiles and diamonds, but has also emerged as a hub for technology, fintech, and startups. He noted that over the past three years, financial support worth ₹14 crore has been extended to 50 startups.
Several prominent speakers addressed the conclave on diverse topics. Ujjwal Deepak from Columbia University spoke on crisis management, Utpal Mistry of Lexus Group discussed the necessity of business diversification, Dheenal Bakhshi from The Franchise Insider explained franchising as a proven path to success, and Kuldeep Singh Kaler from Positive Paazi highlighted growth through digital India initiatives.
Ujjwal Deepak used global brand examples to demonstrate how businesses must consistently evolve with customer expectations. Utpal Mistry stressed learning from mistakes and drawing inspiration from mentors as keys to success. Dheenal Bakhshi outlined strategic frameworks for building franchise businesses. Kuldeep Singh Kaler underlined the importance of creating a strong online presence using social media and digital tools.
The event was graced by several key chamber officials, including newly appointed President Nikhil Madrasi, Honorary Secretary Nirav Mandlewala, Vice President Ashok Jirawala, former President Ramesh Vaghasia, Treasurer Mrinal Shukla, and advisor Tapan Jariwala.
The conclave was anchored and coordinated by SBC Committee Co-Chairperson Manshali Tiwari and member Vishal Bakhshi. Speaker introductions were handled by Chandrakant Prajapati, Vishal Shah, Ankita Valand, and Payal Shah. The event concluded with a closing address by Tapan Jariwala.
A lively question-and-answer session marked the conclusion of the conclave, allowing entrepreneurs in attendance to directly engage with the experts and seek solutions to their business challenges.
