New Jersey: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday invited the Gujarati and wider Indian diaspora in the United States and Canada to invest in Gujarat and become partners in the state’s long-term development journey.
Addressing the ‘Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey’ programme on the seventh day of his US visit, Patel presented the state’s roadmap to become a ‘Viksit Gujarat’ by 2047, saying Gujarat’s growth would contribute to the broader national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
His US outreach comes ahead of the 11th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, with engagements focused on attracting investment, strengthening trade and technology partnerships and deepening business ties between Gujarat and the United States.
Gujarat Targets Higher Contribution to India’s GDP
Patel highlighted Gujarat’s growing contribution to India’s economic development and recalled the state’s transformation since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001.
He said Gujarat had faced challenges related to electricity, water, roads and coastal development at the time, after which sustained efforts were undertaken to put the state on a new development path.
According to Patel:
- Gujarat accounts for around 6% of India’s geographical area.
- The state has about 5% of India’s population.
- Gujarat contributes approximately 8.2% to India’s GDP.
- The state has set a target of increasing its contribution to more than 10% by 2030.
Patel said Gujarat’s development has positioned it as an important driver of India’s economic growth.
Viksit Gujarat 2047 Roadmap Focuses on Long-Term Growth
The Chief Minister said Gujarat has prepared a comprehensive roadmap to become a Viksit Gujarat by 2047.
The roadmap divides the state into six zones, with key sectors, growth opportunities and long-term development targets identified for each zone.
Patel said implementation of the roadmap has already begun, with the focus on building a stronger, more competitive and sustainable economy.
GIFT City and Data Centres Highlight Gujarat’s Long-Term Vision
Patel cited GIFT City as an example of Gujarat’s long-term development planning.
He said the vision to establish GIFT City as a global financial and fintech hub was conceived during 2006-07. According to him, the project has now established a distinct identity globally while creating opportunities for Gujarat’s youth and contributing to the state’s development.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the growing importance of data centres to India’s digital economy.
Gujarat recognised the potential of the sector early and introduced a dedicated Data Centre Policy. The state is now working to strengthen its position as a leading data centre destination in the country.
Gujarat’s MSME Sector Expands Significantly
Patel highlighted the expansion of Gujarat’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
He said the number of MSMEs in Gujarat increased from around 1.85 lakh in 2001-02 to approximately 27.9 lakh today.
According to the Chief Minister, the sector is not only promoting entrepreneurship but is also generating large-scale employment opportunities across the state.
Gujarat’s Strong Manufacturing and Export Base
Patel highlighted Gujarat’s significant contribution to India’s manufacturing, exports and cargo movement.
The state accounts for approximately:
- 17% of India’s manufacturing output
- 27% of India’s total exports
- Around 40% of the country’s total cargo
- Approximately 33% of India’s chemical industry
- Around 30% of India’s pharmaceutical sector
- Nearly 50% of man-made fibre production
- Around 65% of denim production
- Approximately 19.2% of India’s pharmaceutical exports
- Around 80% of India’s diamond exports
These figures, Patel said, demonstrate Gujarat’s strong position across manufacturing, exports and several major industrial sectors.
Gujarat Retains Top Position in State Startup Rankings
Patel also highlighted Gujarat’s performance in the startup ecosystem.
He said Gujarat has secured the top position in the State Startup Ranking for four consecutive years, reflecting the state’s focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.
He attributed Gujarat’s investment appeal to factors including:
- Transparent policies
- Strong financial management
- Sector-specific policies
- Investor-friendly framework
- Skilled workforce
- Strong infrastructure and connectivity
The Chief Minister said Gujarat’s policy framework is supporting the vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’.
Viksit Gujarat-2026 Industrial Policy to Support Investment
Patel said the new Industrial Policy for ‘Viksit Gujarat-2026’ has created a more favourable environment for investment, industry and employment in the state.
The policy has been designed to address the requirements of different investors and industries, alongside sector-specific policies aimed at supporting industrial growth.
Patel emphasised that transparency and clear policies remain important pillars of Gujarat’s development strategy.
Financial Strength Alongside Economic Growth
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of financial discipline and sound financial management in supporting long-term development.
He said the foundation for financial discipline was laid during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and stated that Gujarat is now among the financially strong states in India.
Patel said Gujarat is pursuing economic development alongside financial strength to build a stronger and more sustainable state economy.
Young CEO Meet Focuses on Emerging Technologies
As part of his US outreach, Patel participated in a Young CEO Meet in New Jersey, where he interacted with young entrepreneurs, CEOs, technology experts and business leaders from different sectors.
Discussions focused on Gujarat’s development, investment opportunities, infrastructure and its investor-friendly policy framework.
Key sectors highlighted during the interaction included:
- Startups and entrepreneurship
- Fintech
- Artificial intelligence
- Data centres
- Digital economy
- Manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Semiconductors
- Emerging technologies
Patel invited young business leaders to explore partnerships and investment opportunities in Gujarat, highlighting the state’s skilled workforce, industry ecosystem, policy environment and connectivity.
Patel Invites Global Gujarati Community to Vibrant Gujarat Summit
Ahead of the 11th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Patel invited the Gujarati and wider Indian communities in the US and Canada to visit Gujarat and explore investment opportunities.
His wider North America outreach has included meetings with investors, financial institutions, manufacturing leaders, young entrepreneurs and representatives of the Global Capability Centre sector.
The engagements are aimed at attracting capital, technology partnerships and new business collaborations while strengthening economic ties between Gujarat and the United States.
CM Visits BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham
During his New Jersey visit, Patel also visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham.
He was welcomed by BAPS saints and toured the complex, appreciating its representation of Indian culture and spiritual traditions.
Patel also acknowledged the efforts of Gujarati and Indian communities overseas in preserving and promoting Indian cultural values.
Overall, the Chief Minister’s New Jersey engagements formed part of Gujarat’s broader investment outreach ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, with a focus on investment, technology collaboration and stronger business partnerships between Gujarat and the US.
Read also: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Meets World Bank, Walmart in Washington to Boost MSMEs and Global Growth
