Vibrant Gujarat 2013 to focus on forging knowledge led strategic partnerships: Narendra Modi

Gandhinagar, 2 January 2013

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi today mentioned some of the unique features of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

Addressing the first official press conference on the summit, Shri Modi said that whereas previous summits had focused on mobilizing series of investments across Gujarat’s industrial sectors, the upcoming summit will focus solely on forging knowledge-based strategic partnerships and global collaborations. Since the 2011 summit, the government has placed a special emphasis on addressing the need for youth development, increasing skill development and creating employment opportunities, creating more women entrepreneurs in society and giving a boost to sunrise sectors such as green energy.

He further said that the government had realised the importance of forging knowledge based strategic partnerships and the value created by it for both industries and society. He said that his government is committed to exploring new dimensions offered by such valuable collaborations. He opined that such collaborations not only throw open so many areas of opportunities today but also help in finding sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow.

The much awaited biennial Vibrant Gujarat 2013 Summit’s events start from 5th January 2013 with a series of knowledge-sharing events lined up till 13th January 2013. Senior diplomats from the governments of Japan, the UK, China, Canada, the USA, Denmark, African Region, Australia will be attending the summit. Industry captains from companies such as Tata Group, Reliance Industries, ADA Group, Essar Group, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra are also going to be present.

With Gujarat rising as the economic power-house of India, business outfits from developed economies like the UK and the US have announced their partnership with the Government of Gujarat.

Considering the focus on knowledge-based partnerships, one of the most important events is the International Conference on Academic Institutions (ICAI) wherein Gujarat-based universities will be setting up collaborations with foreign universities. The objective of the conference was to find a partner from the 51 Gujarat-based Universities & various other institutions and determine ways of generating combined value for the partner institutions. Few of the respected universities /institutions like University of Toronto, Times Higher Education, Institute of International Education, Seneca College, Canada, University of Wollongong, Australia, University of Houston, and many more will be present for collaboration with their Indian counterparts.

One of the main focus areas of this event is the generation of quality employment. Hence appropriate importance for SME sector will be given in the summit as a thrust area. One of the other major highlights of the summit is the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show spread across an area of more than 100,000 square meters that has more than 1000 companies participating from more than 25 sectors & 14 countries. A first of its kind in the country and possibly in the world, a concept car designed and studded with thousands of Swarovski Gems, Gold and Silver will be on display at the venue. This car will be auctioned at the venue and the entire proceeds will be donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.