Gandhinagar, June 15 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday described the newly unveiled ‘Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy-2026’ as a comprehensive development blueprint that goes beyond industrial incentives and is designed to advance Gujarat’s contribution towards the national goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

Speaking at the launch of the policy at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Patel said the framework had been prepared after incorporating suggestions, demands and requirements received from industries across sectors and regions of the state.

Addressing a gathering that included Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Finance Minister Kanu Desai, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, State Industries Minister Jayram Gamit, Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Industries and Mines Department Additional Chief Secretary Mamta Verma, Finance Department Additional Chief Secretary T. Natarajan, Industries Commissioner P. Swaroop, and industrialists, Patel said the policy had been designed to accommodate the needs of every category of industry.

“This is a policy that, as they say, brings joy at first sight,” Patel said, adding that industries would be able to identify opportunities suited to their own requirements within the framework.

He said the policy integrates support mechanisms for power, interest subsidies, capital investment, and other industrial requirements, while also encouraging investment in less-developed regions of the state.

According to Patel, industries investing outside major urban centres would receive additional support, helping achieve balanced regional development while increasing economic growth in areas that still require industrialisation.

Patel used the occasion to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 12 years in office, saying “the period had enabled India to achieve new milestones in social, economic and industrial development”.

He emphasised that Gujarat had benefited from Modi’s leadership for more than two and a half decades, first as chief minister and later as prime minister.

Patel credited Modi with prioritising economic and social development, introducing the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and transforming Gujarat into a globally recognised investment destination.

“He replaced red-tapism with a culture of red carpets, providing investors with ease, transparency and swift decision-making, making Gujarat the most trusted state for industry,” Patel said.

According to the Chief Minister, Gujarat had attracted USD 60.6 billion in foreign direct investment by December 2025.

“The state’s economy had reached USD 329.70 billion, accounting for more than 8.2 per cent of India’s gross domestic product, while Gujarat continued to lead the country in manufacturing, infrastructure development, innovation and ease of doing business,” he noted.

Patel said the Industrial Policy-2026 was prepared with future industrial trends in mind, as technology, artificial intelligence, green energy, and changes in global supply chains continue to reshape the world economy.

“The policy seeks to establish Gujarat as a global industrial powerhouse through targeted incentives for sectors including green hydrogen, green ammonia, battery storage systems, electrolysers, electric mobility, aerospace, space manufacturing, semiconductor support units, nuclear power equipment, robotics, drones, sports goods, toys and footwear manufacturing,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the policy places MSMEs at the centre of development alongside large industries.

He noted that special provisions had been included for startups, women entrepreneurs, first-generation entrepreneurs, and young innovators through measures such as startup sustenance allowances, seed support, and interest subsidies.

“The policy also contains special incentives for Van Bandhu talukas, backward regions, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs and MSMEs to ensure that industrial growth benefits all regions and communities,” he said.

Describing the framework as being built on four pillars: investment and production, innovation and research, skills and employment, and sustainability and inclusive development, Patel said the integration of these dimensions would help create a holistic industrial ecosystem capable of supporting long-term economic growth.

“This policy will help make Gujarat a centre of industrial innovation, advanced research and global technological development,” he said.

Patel said the policy would strengthen the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World” by promoting value addition, advanced manufacturing and integration into global value chains.

“By focusing on value addition, advanced manufacturing and integration into global value chains, Gujarat will emerge as a globally competitive, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial powerhouse,” he said.

Expressing confidence in continued cooperation from industry and trade bodies, Patel said the success of the “Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat 2047” mission would depend on partnership between government and industry.

“This policy is not merely an incentive scheme for industries. It is a comprehensive development document that advances the vision of ‘Viksit Gujarat’ and contributes to the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” he said before concluding his address.

–IANS

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