With the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027 scheduled for January, industry leaders gathered in New Delhi on Monday to underscore the state's appeal as a prime investment destination, citing its investor-friendly policies, strong infrastructure, and faster decision-making processes as major advantages.
Speaking at a curtain-raiser event for the summit, representatives from various sectors highlighted opportunities spanning traditional and emerging industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, automobiles, and renewable energy.
ASSOCHAM President Calls Summit an ‘Economic Festival’
Nirmal Kumar Minda, President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), described Vibrant Gujarat as more than just an investment gathering. "Vibrant Gujarat is not just an investment summit but an economic festival," he told IANS. Minda noted that more than 1,000 industry representatives and investors had been invited to the curtain-raiser.
Minda pointed to increasing investments in semiconductors and AI in Dholera, and said the upcoming Maruti automobile plant in Sanand would further strengthen Gujarat's industrial ecosystem. He also highlighted the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), saying they would gain opportunities to expand alongside large investments across manufacturing supply chains.
DCM Shriram Plans Major Expansion
Ajay S Shriram, Chairman of DCM Shriram, said the vibrant Gujarat summit had helped establish the state firmly on the global investment map. He recounted his company's nearly three-decade presence in Gujarat, noting that its initial 100-tonne caustic soda facility had grown to a capacity of 2,250 tonnes.
Shriram added that the company had invested around Rs 5,000 crore in Gujarat over the past three-and-a-half years and was working on plans to invest another Rs 8,000-10,000 crore over the next four to five years, along with associates and partners.
Tata Power Eyes Renewables and Nuclear Projects
Sanjay Banga, CEO of Tata Power, highlighted the company's long-standing relationship with Gujarat, citing its 4,000-MW Mundra project as key to meeting the state's energy requirements. The company also operates around 700 MW of solar and wind power projects in the state, while the government has recently allocated land for the development of another 3 GW of renewable energy projects.
Banga said Tata Power is also evaluating a potential site in Gujarat for a nuclear power project, which could proceed with further investment if technical and commercial feasibility studies are successful.
The summit, which has historically served as a platform for showcasing Gujarat's investment potential, is expected to draw significant participation from domestic and international investors when it convenes in January.