Gandhinagar, May 22: Building on the historic success and legacy of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the state government is gearing up to accelerate regional development.
In line with this vision, the next grand event of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) is scheduled for the last week of June 2026 in Vadodara, focusing primarily on the Central Gujarat region. This area, which includes ten districts—Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhota Udaipur, Narmada, and Mahisagar—holds a robust 28% share of the state’s total manufacturing output.
According to the official district-level data from the Annual Industry Survey (2022-23), this region showcases exceptional dominance in the state’s industrial landscape. Central Gujarat alone contributes 93% to the manufacturing output of ‘other transport equipment,’ which includes railway locomotives, rolling stock, aircraft, spacecraft, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. Additionally, it accounts for 92% in the auto and auto components sector, 70% in beverages, and 63% each in pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.
This region is also an ideal destination for investors, as approximately 62% of Gujarat’s total area falls within the influence of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). To expedite progress in this corridor, two flagship projects are rapidly taking shape in Central Gujarat: the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), spanning 5,560 acres, and the Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region (MBSIR), covering 2,849 acres.
The greatest strength of Central Gujarat lies in its district-wise industrial diversity and expertise. The chemical and petrochemical sector in Vadodara accounts for 61% of the district’s total manufacturing output. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad leads in auto and auto components (18%), textiles (15%), basic metals (13%), and pharmaceuticals (9%). Gandhinagar’s manufacturing output is primarily driven by food processing (18%), basic metals (17%), and chemicals (14%). The state capital also leads in the electronics and financial technology sectors, supported by top educational institutions and the presence of ‘Gift City.’
On the other hand, Anand’s manufacturing base is mainly focused on agro and dairy processing (50%) and chemicals (12%). Panchmahal derives its strength from the auto and auto components (23%), rubber and plastic (19%), and pharmaceuticals (15%) sectors, while Kheda is driven by rubber and plastic products (23%) and food processing (22%). In the tribal and rural belt, Narmada’s production is dominated by food processing (92%), while Chhota Udaipur and Dahod contribute significantly through agro and food processing (56% and 48%, respectively).
Central Gujarat’s business reach has now expanded to over 219 countries worldwide. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the region’s total exports reached a remarkable $20.54 billion. Pharmaceuticals led this export basket with a share of $3.67 billion (17.8%), followed by nuclear reactors, boilers, and machinery at $2.79 billion (13.6%), electrical machinery and equipment at $1.79 billion (8.7%), road vehicles and parts at $1.47 billion (7%), organic chemicals at $1.45 billion (7%), and dyeing, tanning, and coloring matter at $1.03 billion (5%). The USA emerged as the largest buyer of Central Gujarat’s products, accounting for 23.8% ($4.88 billion) of total exports, followed by the UAE (7.3%), Thailand (3%), the UK (2.8%), and Saudi Arabia (2.7%).
The upcoming VGRC (Central Gujarat) will emphasize not only traditional industries but also future high-tech sectors. Key focus areas will include semiconductors and electronics, IT and ITES, biotech, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defense, fintech, auto and auto components, dairy and food processing, education, chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and apparel, green energy ecosystems, skill development, startups, MSMEs, and tourism and culture.
Another significant aspect of this conference is to present ‘tourism and culture’ as a major catalyst for accelerating regional economic development. A major strategy is to attract international tourists through heritage tourism, showcasing Ahmedabad’s Gandhi Ashram, Vadodara’s historic Laxmi Vilas Palace, Gandhinagar’s Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, and the UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park’ in Panchmahal. Beyond heritage, the region promotes eco-tourism and experiential travel through the world-famous ‘Statue of Unity’ in Narmada, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, and Pavagadh Hill Corridor. Additionally, Gandhinagar is becoming a prominent global hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, thanks to state-of-the-art facilities like the Mahatma Mandir.
The VGRC’s regional format has proven to be an authentic and highly successful formula for attracting investment and fostering global partnerships. The previous three editions, aligned with the ‘Developed India 2047’ goals, have set new records of success. This series began in October 2025 with the inaugural edition in Mehsana, which saw over 29,000 registrations and participation from more than 440 international representatives from 80 countries, resulting in investment proposals worth ₹3.25 lakh crore and 1,264 MOUs signed.
Following this, the Kutch and Saurashtra edition held in Rajkot in January 2026 attracted nearly 29,000 registrations and around 400 international representatives from 57 countries, setting a new record with investment proposals worth ₹5.78 lakh crore and 5,492 MOUs. Continuing this successful trend, the recent South Gujarat edition held in Surat in May 2026 also saw over 20,000 registrations and active participation from more than 150 international representatives from 27 countries, resulting in significant investment commitments.
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