Rajkot/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a large-scale trade show at Marwadi University in Rajkot, setting the stage for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). The event, marked by extensive participation from leading corporations and international buyers, highlights Gujarat’s strategic push to attract investments and accelerate its renewable energy ambitions.
Accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, PM Modi emphasized the significance of the trade show as a platform to strengthen business partnerships. “This event not only showcases Gujarat’s industrial strengths but also reinforces our commitment to sustainable growth and innovation,” he said.
The trade show spans 26,000 square meters and features over 400 exhibitors from diverse sectors including agro and food processing, fisheries, defence, energy, petrochemicals, engineering, and ports and logistics. Prominent companies such as Torrent Power Limited, KOSOL, Adani Green, Essar Group, Nayara Energy, and Jyoti CNC are among the key participants.
Officials expect more than 1,500 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to be signed, supported by the participation of over 110 international buyers from 16 countries- including the USA and several European nations- and more than 1,800 scheduled business meetings. An official release stated, “The meet will see collaboration opportunities across sectors like engineering, agriculture, and textiles, with both international and 20 national buyers actively engaging.”
The VGRC will also feature high-level discussions led by the Energy and Petrochemicals Department (EPD), focusing on Gujarat’s renewable energy roadmap under the Mission 100 GW (Shapath Patra). The state has pledged to exceed 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, positioning itself as a leader in India’s energy transition.
Day one’s agenda includes a CEO Roundtable titled ‘Ocean of Opportunities – Blue Energy, Green Future’, exploring nearshore wind and blue energy prospects. Other sessions will address innovations in green startups, sustainable agriculture, and Gujarat’s pivotal role as India’s energy gateway in oil and gas. The exhibition will highlight successful initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes daytime power usage for agriculture and renewable energy connectivity.
Day two will showcase Gujarat’s achievements in decentralised solar adoption through the flagship programme “Solar Dividends: Empowerment through PM-KUSUM & PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.” The day will also include the release of a best practices compendium by GUVNL and its subsidiaries, MoU signings, and recognition of contributors to the power sector.
The trade show and VGRC collectively underscore Gujarat’s dynamic business environment and its strategic focus on sustainable development and energy innovation, attracting both domestic and global stakeholders to participate in the state’s growth story.
UNI
