Gujarat, The Lion State

The state of Gujarat is the epitome of good governance. Its ‘people first’ policy has resulted in creation of a positive, lively and culturally rich environment. It’s a known fact that Gujarat is home to some of the most respected leaders and businessmen in the world, including Mahatma Gandhi (Father of our Nation), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (India’s first home minister and Deputy Prime Minister), Morarji Desai (fifth Prime Minister of India), Narsinh Mehta (poet and sage), Vikram Sarabhai (father of India’s space programme), Jamshedji Tata (founder of the Tata Group of GUJARAT, THE LION STATE companies), Azim Premji (chairman, Wipro) and Dhirubhai Ambani (the founder of Reliance Industries). The economic development undertaken by the state of Gujarat in the last 15 years has been exemplary. The state has earned its place on the global map and is known as the ‘economic gateway to India’. A lot of credit goes to the state’s vision oriented political leadership.

Under the stalwart leadership of Narendra Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat, the state introduced various policies, initiatives and welfare programmes to serve the people and make their lives better. Today, Vijaybhai Rupani, chief minister of Gujarat, has not only been successful in implementing the good governance agenda set by his predecessor, he has scripted a new growth story for Gujarat. Vijaybhai Rupani, has undertaken notable initiatives and set four pillars of effective governance - Transparent, Sensitive, Decisive and Progressive government for balanced growth of agriculture, industries and services, ensuring growth for all. Sustainable development with inclusive growth is the priority of the state government. And the government is committed to creating a conducive climate so that people get the desired share of growth.

The increased spending on social sectors highlights the government’s priorities. The latest state budget concentrates majorly on education, health, drinking water, housing, women and child development. Social sectors get the highest priority, keeping in mind the overall objective of improving the human development index of the state. The Gujarat government also has a special focus on providing drinking water for all. The Gujarat deputy chief minister, Nitin Patel, is himself looking after key projects, such as the Kalpsar Yojana, to meet the state’s demand for clean drinking water and water as an agrarian essential.

Gujarat connects India to the world and has become one of the most sought after business destinations in the world. The state is the pioneer in single-window business clearance and ranks number one in the ease of doing business in India. Ten per cent of India’s factories are in Gujarat, making it the most industrialised state. Gujarat offers a model of economic progress and development for developing states. Gujarat has strong fundamentals – people with excellent entrepreneurial skills, robust infrastructure, stable governance and enabling business friendly policies.

As an extension of the ongoing efforts to provide the most suited ecosystem for investors, Gujarat is all set to design a global financial hub called ‘GIFT city’. Gujarat International Finance Tech-City Company (GIFT) is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the Indian infrastructure space and is being designed as a hub for the global finance services industry. GIFT aspires to cater to India’s huge potential for financial services, by offering global firms world-class infrastructure and facilities.

In a bid to develop world-class economic hubs in Gujarat, the state government has set its focus on infrastructure development and is developing additional port capacities for marine trade, special investment regions (SIRs), special economic zones (SEZs), petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment regions (PCPIRs).

Gujarat was the first state in India to enact a legal framework for the Special Investment Region Act, enabling the state government to establish, develop, operate and regulate the special investment regions decisively and efficiently. As per the World Bank Report, Gujarat ranks first in India in terms of ease of doing business.

Driven by massive industrialisation and urbanisation, the state’s economy has sustained double digit growth momentum per year. Gujarat’s spearheaded progress spreads across sectors such as education, healthcare, rural development, skill development and water and sanitation, with tangible results and an inaction influence on the entire nation.

The state is set to strive for excellence and innovative thoughts with talent and technology by introducing numerous ‘people first’ policies that look at social welfare. Empowerment of all sections of society is a high priority on the agenda of the state, with keen focus on women empowerment, education, health, nutrition and justice and equality. ‘Education for All’ is one such project undertaken by the state government, that aims to encourage literacy.

Recognised as the state with the best e-governance, Gujarat has set commendable pace to achieve goals with inspiring force in the implementation of policies and projects and in setting up key infrastructure. The state government has adopted innovative, constructive and progressive policies to promote e-governance.

Under the leadership of the then chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, the state saw merit in marketing the state to potential investors and came up with the idea of the Vibrant Gujarat summit.

The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, which started in 2003 to rekindle the pace of investment in the state, has since established itself as one of the most important international business events in the country. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is an example of the visionary approach of the government of Gujarat towards inclusive and sustainable development by ensuring policy coherence and effective promotion of investment.

Far removed from the regional investment fair that characterised the first summit in 2003, the biennial summit has today become a unique forum for exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge, networking, exploring business opportunities and signing cooperation agreements and partnerships, while setting the policy agenda for meeting some of the current global challenges.

The Vibrant Gujarat Summit provides an opportunity to interact with key policy makers, industry leaders, global thought leaders, regulators and renowned academicians from all over the world. The summit not only opens up new avenues for big business, but also provides a platform for SMEs to connect globally. The 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit will be held from January 10 to January 13, 2017 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The upcoming edition will also witness a Nobel Laureate Symposium & Exhibition as part of the summit. Furthermore, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit will host the second edition of the Global CEO Conclave. The Global CEO Conclave will bring together the crème de la crème of global corporations and distinguished luminaries for thought-provoking discussions on strategies for India’s growth, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.