AHMEDABAD, 27 September - Marking the 20th anniversary of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, prominent business figures gathered at the Science Center in Ahmedabad to discuss the transformation of Gujarat after various investment ventures. The consensus was clear: the state's success is credited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership.
Lakshmi Mittal, Executive Chairman of ArcelorMittal, noted, "Today, the Global Investors Meet that originated in Gujarat is being replicated throughout the country. Thanks to Prime Minister Modi's foresight, international investors are now particularly interested in funneling FDI into Gujarat." Mittal emphasized the state's industrial prowess, highlighting its competitiveness on the global stage due to a diversified industrial sector including textiles, pharma, and automobile.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's administration, Mittal stated that investments receive timely approvals across all levels in Gujarat. Elaborating on his company's endeavors, he added, "Our Hazira Steel Plant, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, is undergoing expansion and will be operational by 2026."
Reflecting on Japan's contribution to the summit, JETRO South Asia Chief Director, Takashi Suzuki mentioned, "JETRO was the inaugural partner country for Vibrant Gujarat in 2009. Today, over 300 Japanese firms have set up their base in Gujarat. We remain committed to highlighting new opportunities in the state to potential investors from Japan." Suzuki expressed gratitude to both Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Patel for their unwavering support.
BK Goenka, Chairman of Welspun, reflected on the transformative journey of the summit over the past two decades. "20 years ago, nobody envisioned that Vibrant Gujarat would evolve into a global phenomenon," Goenka said. Highlighting Prime Minister Modi's unique vision, Goenka recalled the early days of the summit and how Modi had persuaded him to invest in Kutch, promising substantial returns. "Nine months after establishing our plant in Kutch, we began production. Today, Kutch stands as a beacon for global investors," he noted.
Concluding his thoughts, Goenka said, "The Vibrant Gujarat Summit isn't just about inking MoUs. It's a platform that actualizes dreams. Both Gujarat and Welspun have witnessed remarkable growth owing to the summit's accomplishments."
