Unlike previous six editions of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit, in its seventh edition there will be no announcement on figures related to MoUs signed by various companies for proposed investment in Gujarat. Instead, the event would be promoted as global platform for business networking.
Gujarat Government’s flagship biennial event to be inaugurated on January 11, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considered the biggest ever VGGIS since its inception in the year 2003. Interestingly, the event is the brainchild of Modi, when he was Gujarat’s Chief Minister.
In fact the event was started to project the State as major investment destination. In the past VGGIS MOUs worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore was announced by the State Government and projected Gujarat as global investment destination. It helped to build brand Gujarat across the globe too.
In the history of VGGIS, first time Prime Minister of India will not only attend the event but also inaugurate it. Besides, Prime Ministers of four countries, including Australia, Denmark, Japan and Singapore will remain present. Already Gujarat’s Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said that the State Government is expecting 200 CEOs of various companies from across the globe and over 4,000 foreign delegates would attend the events from 120 countries.
“Earlier Vibrant Gujarat events were projected to attract investments in Gujarat only. However, in the seventh edition various Indian States will be showcased as major investment destinations. Chief Ministers of at least 10 Indian States have confirmed their participation. It means, VGGIS is gradually shifting from projecting only Gujarat as investment destination to India as global investment destination,” said a top official deeply connected with the arrangements of Vibrant Gujarat 2015.
According to him there are possibilities that the next VGGIS would be branded as Vibrant India and may be organised in some other State. Ahead of Vibrant Gujarat, 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) will be held at the same venue — Mahatma Mandir — in Gandhinagar. This time the State Government has also decided to organise Kite Festival on January 10, 2015 instead of on the Uttarayan Day on January 14, 2015 to facilitate PBD participants, mostly Non-resident Indians (NRIs) expected to throng in large number to attend PBD from 7th to 9th January.