Mini Japan to global hub: PM’s big bet on Saurashtra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a trade show at Marwadi University in Rajkot ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). Highlighting the rising industrial strength of the Saurashtra-Kutch region, the Prime Minister said the Morbi-Jamnagar-Rajkot industrial belt has come to be known as “Mini Japan” owing to its scale, skilled workforce, and strong global linkages.
Highlighting investment opportunities, PM Modi said India is firmly on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. He attributed this progress to an industry-ready workforce and next-generation reforms in key sectors such as GST, information technology, insurance, labour, and nuclear energy.
Later, inaugurating the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions, the Prime Minister said India is witnessing an unprecedented phase of certainty amid widespread global uncertainty. He noted that the country is moving rapidly towards becoming a developed nation, with reforms playing a decisive role in this transformation.
Calling upon industry leaders to invest in India and specifically in the Saurashtra-Kutch region, Mr. Modi said the present time offers the right opportunity for investment. Stressing that an industry-ready workforce is as crucial as infrastructure, he said the region has emerged as a major hub for manufacturing, green growth, and green mobility. He also highlighted the development of the world’s largest 30-gigawatt clean energy park in Kutch.
The conference is the second of four Vibrant Gujarat regional events aimed at decentralising industrial development across Saurashtra and Kutch. It seeks to promote investment, innovation, and growth across twelve western districts of the region.On the occasion, the Prime Minister virtually launched 13 greenfield smart industrial estates across seven districts of Saurashtra and inaugurated a specialised medical device park in Rajkot.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by prominent industry leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, Karan Adani, and B. K. Goenka, along with foreign dignitaries such as the Ukrainian envoy and the Rwandan Ambassador with others.
The conference serves as a key platform for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions, with a focus on critical sectors such as ceramics in Morbi, engineering in Rajkot, and the extensive ports and logistics network along the coastline. Global engagement remains a priority, with Japan, South Korea, Rwanda, and Ukraine participating as partner countries to explore opportunities in green energy, petrochemicals, and agro processing. More than 1,500 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the two-day event, making it a major catalyst for the regional economy.
Earlier in the day, on the second day of his visit to Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Trade Exhibition in Rajkot. Spread across 18,000 square metres, the exhibition brings together over 400 exhibitors showcasing innovation and development across sectors such as agriculture, food processing, fisheries, defence, energy, petrochemicals, and logistics. Major corporates, including Torrent Power Limited, Cosol, Adani Green, Essar Group, Nayara Energy, and Jyoti CNC, are participating in the exhibition.
