Ahmedabad: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has expressed optimism about fresh investment in the state following his recent visits to Japan and South Korea, where he met industrialists and investors to strengthen international business partnerships ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027.
Sanghavi returned to Ahmedabad on Sunday after engagements in the two East Asian countries. The discussions covered investment opportunities in semiconductors, automobiles, engineering, textiles and other industries, as Gujarat seeks to attract foreign investment and expand its manufacturing base.
“The visit included key meetings aimed at attracting foreign investment ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Meetings were held with industrialists and investors in the Japanese cities of Osaka, Kobe, and Tokyo. Discussions also took place with various industrial sectors in the South Korean cities of Daegu and Seoul,” Sanghavi said.
He added, “Positive cooperation was received from industries, law firms, and consultants in both Japan and South Korea.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said representatives from both countries were expected to participate in the upcoming summit. However, the investment discussions and expressions of interest should not be treated as confirmed investment commitments unless formal announcements are made.
Japan Meetings Cover Automobiles, Semiconductors and Clean Energy
During the Japan leg of the visit, the Gujarat delegation engaged with companies across several industrial sectors, including automobiles, semiconductors, chemicals, advanced materials and energy.
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The delegation held discussions with major companies, including Suzuki Motor Corporation, Tokyo Electron, JERA, Sumitomo Chemical, Furukawa Electric and Marubeni Corporation.
Key areas of engagement included:
- Automobiles: Discussions on expanding Gujarat’s automotive ecosystem and strengthening supplier networks.
- Semiconductors: Exploring manufacturing opportunities, equipment supply chains and investment prospects.
- Clean energy: Engagement on energy and power-generation opportunities.
- Chemicals and advanced materials: Exploring industrial cooperation and potential business partnerships.
- Textiles: Discussions with companies operating in textile manufacturing and related industries.
The outreach was intended to build on existing industrial ties and identify opportunities for new investments and technology partnerships in Gujarat.
Gujarat Invites Youngone Corporation to Explore Textile Investments
In South Korea, the delegation held talks with Youngone Corporation in Daegu, a major centre for the country’s textile industry. The meeting was attended by senior company representatives, including its president, Jae-young Park.
Youngone operates in outdoor sportswear, performance apparel and textile manufacturing, with a global workforce of approximately 100,000, according to reports on the meeting.
Sanghavi invited the company to explore investment opportunities and establish joint ventures in Gujarat. He highlighted the state’s textile ecosystem, which extends from cotton production to spinning, fabric manufacturing and finished garments.
The state government is seeking to use Gujarat’s existing manufacturing capabilities to attract Korean companies with expertise in advanced fibres, performance materials and textile technology.
The Deputy Chief Minister also invited Youngone’s representatives to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027 and visit textile clusters in the state.
PM MITRA Park in Navsari Pitched as Investment Opportunity
A key part of Gujarat’s pitch to textile investors was the upcoming PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Navsari district.
The park is being developed across approximately 1,142 acres at Vansi village. The project is intended to bring multiple stages of textile manufacturing together within an integrated industrial ecosystem.
The proposed facilities are expected to cover activities such as:
- Spinning and weaving
- Fabric processing
- Technical textiles
- Garment manufacturing
- Supporting textile and apparel industries
Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s contribution to India’s man-made fibre production and its established textile supply chain as factors that could attract overseas manufacturers.
The state also points to its port infrastructure, road and rail networks, and access to logistics facilities as advantages for companies seeking to establish or expand manufacturing operations.
South Korean Expertise Seen as Opportunity for Textile Collaboration
The discussions in Daegu also provided an opportunity to explore cooperation between Gujarat’s established textile manufacturing base and South Korea’s capabilities in advanced fibres, textile machinery and high-performance materials.
The Gujarat delegation engaged with the Korea Textile Development Institute and industry representatives to discuss potential technical exchange, commercial partnerships and investment opportunities.
Such cooperation could help manufacturers explore new production technologies and strengthen their position in international textile markets.
Vibrant Gujarat Summit to Anchor Investment Outreach
The visits to Japan and South Korea form part of Gujarat’s preparations for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, through which the state aims to attract international investors, encourage industrial expansion and strengthen economic partnerships.
The participation of companies from the two countries is expected to provide a platform for further discussions on investment, technology transfer and joint ventures.
With engagement spanning automobiles, semiconductors, energy, engineering and textiles, Gujarat is seeking to broaden its international investment network. The next step will be to translate the discussions and expressions of interest into concrete proposals, formal agreements and operational projects.
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