Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], January 12 (ANI): The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) 2026 for Kutch and Saurashtra concluded its two-day deliberations on Monday with a valedictory session at Marwadi University, Rajkot, while the accompanying Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) will remain open to the public until January 15.
Inaugurated on January 11 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, VGRC 2026 has emerged as a landmark regional investment and development platform covering 12 districts of Kutch and Saurashtra. Union Minister Piyush Goyal and several state cabinet ministers participated in seminars and visited the exhibition during the event, according to an official release.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the five-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition on January 11. Spread across six domes over 26,400 square metres, the exhibition features more than 450 exhibitors, including over 160 MSMEs, 60 startups and innovators, 62 artisans, and 70 stalls from central and state government departments, showcasing Gujarat’s economic diversity and regional strengths.
A major highlight of VGRE is the Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet (RBSM), which has enabled regional MSMEs to directly engage with more than 110 international buyers. For the first time, cottage industries are participating in exclusive meetings with over 20 international buyers. The programme has seen more than 2,200 meetings in the first two days and over 1,000 MoUs signed, with an expected export potential exceeding ₹500 crore. B2B and B2G meetings also witnessed strong participation.
The exhibition has drawn enthusiastic participation from local businesses, industry leaders, startups, academic institutions, and technical students, creating a dynamic platform for innovation, collaboration, and opportunity. By linking entrepreneurs, artisans, and innovators with global buyers, VGRE is further strengthening Gujarat’s standing as a hub for trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Over the course of the conference, more than 50 sector-focused seminars and thematic sessions were organised, covering industries, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, environment, startups, sustainability, and future technologies. Special initiatives such as the Regional MSME Conclave, Vendor Development Programme, Udyami Mela, and Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet received strong stakeholder engagement.
VGRC 2026 also featured participation from four partner countries—Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, and Ukraine—and 12 partner organisations, highlighting growing international confidence in Gujarat’s regional development agenda. The inaugural session was attended by leading industry figures including Mukesh Ambani, B.K. Goenka, Karan Adani, Parakramsinh Jadeja, Samir Mehta, and Prashant Ruia, along with ambassadors and high commissioners from Rwanda, Ukraine, and Guyana.
Key announcements included the development of 13 new Smart GIDC estates spread over 3,543 acres across seven districts and the inauguration of the Medical Devices Park at Nagalpar in Rajkot, reinforcing the state’s focus on strengthening industrial infrastructure.
Special emphasis was placed on MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startups through the Udyami Mela, facilitating access to finance, markets, skills, and institutional support. A cultural programme held on January 11 at Atal Sarovar celebrated Gujarat’s rich heritage and added a vibrant cultural dimension to the conference.
With strong international partnerships, significant investment commitments, and a focused push for inclusive growth, VGRC 2026 has reaffirmed Gujarat’s position as a preferred destination for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global engagement. The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition will continue to welcome visitors until January 15. (ANI)
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