Vadodara: The fourth and final edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) concluded in Vadodara with investment commitments worth more than ₹3.34 lakh crore through 3,759 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), reinforcing Gujarat‘s position as one of India’s leading investment destinations.
Held under the theme “Regional Aspiration, Global Ambition”, the conference concluded in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the proposed investments are expected to generate over 1.97 lakh employment opportunities across the state in the coming years.
₹3.34 Lakh Crore Investments Across Central Gujarat
Announcing the successful completion of the conference, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the Central Gujarat edition witnessed investment proposals exceeding ₹3.34 lakh crore through 3,759 MoUs.
He said the conference marked the successful completion of all four regional editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, designed to promote balanced industrial development across different regions of the state.
According to the state government, the investment commitments are expected to significantly boost manufacturing, infrastructure, services and employment generation in Gujarat.
Rajnath Singh Highlights India’s Defence Manufacturing Growth
Addressing the valedictory ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India’s defence sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade.
He noted that India’s defence production has increased from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore, while defence exports have reached ₹39,000 crore.
Highlighting the country’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Singh said transparent licensing systems and investor-friendly policies have encouraged greater participation by the private sector.
He expressed confidence that Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial culture position the state to emerge as a major defence manufacturing hub.
Gujarat’s Strategic Role in Defence Manufacturing
The Defence Minister pointed to several strategic advantages that strengthen Gujarat’s role in India’s defence ecosystem.
He highlighted the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing project in Vadodara, describing it as India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing facility and a landmark achievement.
Singh also cited semiconductor projects in Sanand and Dholera, along with Gujarat’s strong chemical, petrochemical, electronics, maritime and shipbuilding sectors, as major contributors to the country’s defence manufacturing ambitions.
He added that Gujarat’s leadership in renewable energy would also create new opportunities for the defence sector.
Gujarat’s Investment Model Backed by Policy Reforms
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development.
He noted that initiatives such as “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global” have helped transform Gujarat into a globally competitive investment destination.
Patel said reforms undertaken under the Prime Minister’s “Reform, Perform and Transform” approach have created a favourable policy environment for industries and investors.
He also highlighted India’s emergence from the “Fragile Five” economies to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
Towards Viksit Bharat 2047
According to the Chief Minister, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, launched by Narendra Modi in 2003, has evolved into a movement supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He said Gujarat remains committed to balanced regional development while strengthening its position as a preferred destination for domestic and global investments.
Patel also noted that increasing confidence among overseas Indians has contributed to record foreign remittances, with India receiving around ₹13 lakh crore in remittances during 2025.
Focus on Inland Fisheries and Blue Economy
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh used the occasion to outline a roadmap for making Gujarat a leader in inland fisheries.
He said the state possesses significant untapped potential through its village ponds and extensive saline water resources, which could be leveraged to strengthen the Blue Economy.
The Minister called for greater adoption of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in fisheries, along with investments in hatcheries, cold-chain infrastructure and logistics.
He urged the state government, scientists, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders to prepare a time-bound strategy to transform Gujarat into a global hub for inland fisheries.
Industry Leaders Participate
The valedictory session also featured addresses by Ajay Ranka, Chairman of Zydex Group, and Atul Dalmia, Chairman and Managing Director of Rubamin.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Mamta Verma presented an overview of the planning, implementation and outcomes of the four editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
The event concluded with the felicitation of artisans and entrepreneurs from various sectors for their contributions to Gujarat’s economic development.
