Vadodara, June 30 (IANS) Gujarat secured investment proposals worth more than Rs 3.34 lakh crore through the signing of 3,759 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at the fourth and final edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), with the projects expected to generate more than 1.97 lakh potential employment opportunities in the coming years.

The Central Gujarat edition of the conference concluded in Vadodara in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, completing the state government’s series of four regional conferences organised under the theme “Regional Aspiration, Global Ambition”.

Announcing the conference’s outcome, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the investment commitments reflected the growing confidence of industry in Gujarat and would contribute to balanced regional development across the state.

“The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference had translated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development into action by taking local strengths, traditions and talent to the global stage through the concepts of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local to Global’,” he said.

He said the policy environment created under the Prime Minister’s “Reform, Perform and Transform” mantra had strengthened industry and the economy, enabling Gujarat to remain an attractive investment destination.

“The Vibrant Gujarat Summit and VGRC have emerged as take-off platforms for the growth of industries and entrepreneurs in Gujarat,” Patel said.

He added that the state government remained committed to keeping Gujarat at the forefront of the country’s journey towards “Viksit Bharat 2047” through balanced regional development and collaboration with industry.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, launched in 2003 by Narendra Modi during his tenure as state Chief Minister, had evolved over the past two decades into a wider movement supporting the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

He said Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem, entrepreneurial culture and skilled workforce had enabled the state to convert challenges into opportunities.

“The people of Gujarat possess a unique mindset and an exceptional ability to convert challenges into opportunities,” Singh said.

The Defence Minister said Gujarat was well placed to play a larger role in India’s industrial growth, particularly through its manufacturing base, technological capabilities, ports, maritime infrastructure and emerging sectors.

During the valedictory ceremony, Additional Chief Secretary for Industries, Mamta Verma, presented a report on the planning, implementation and outcomes of the regional conference series.

Artisans and entrepreneurs from different sectors were also honoured for their contributions.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Dr Manisha Vakil, industrialists, representatives of industry associations, delegates and senior government officials attended the event.

–IANS

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