Rajkot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit his home state of Gujarat later this month on January 11 and 12, during which he will inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the Saurashtra–Kutch region and an accompanying trade exhibition.

With the visit details currently being finalised at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) level, preparations are underway to organise a roadshow in Rajkot to welcome the Prime Minister, Gujarat Cabinet Minister Jitu Vaghani announced on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Vaghani said it was a matter of pride for the entire Saurashtra–Kutch region that the second Regional Vibrant Gujarat Summit is being held in Rajkot on January 11 and 12. He said Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the summit, marking a significant milestone in the region’s development journey.

According to Vaghani, the Prime Minister is expected to arrive in Rajkot on the afternoon of January 11, landing at the old Rajkot airport. A grand welcome is being planned under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. He added that political workers, social organisations, educational institutions and representatives of various communities from across Saurashtra and Kutch are preparing to welcome the Prime Minister.

“Everyone is eager to welcome the Prime Minister, and a tentative roadshow is being planned,” Vaghani said, adding that all arrangements are being coordinated by the district administration.

The minister said the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is being organised on the lines of the global Vibrant Gujarat Summit and has now been expanded to the regional and district levels. He noted that the initiative has already yielded significant outcomes at the district level, with memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth several crores signed so far.

Vaghani said partner countries for the Saurashtra–Kutch VGRC include Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Rwanda and Ukraine. He added that seminars and discussions will be held on themes such as Swadeshi, agricultural value chains, oilseeds, women empowerment, MSMEs, startups, blue energy, textiles, jewellery, GI products and renewable energy.

According to him, more than 6,300 registrations from 22 countries have already been received. The exhibition will span approximately 26,400 square metres, including a dedicated 4,400-square-metre pavilion for MSMEs, cottage industries and handicrafts. Key attractions will include artisan product exhibitions, a reverse buyer-seller meet, cultural programmes, a food court, ‘One District One Product’ showcases and GI technology displays.

Vaghani said prominent organisations such as DRDO, Adani Group, Tata Chemicals and Reliance will participate in the event. Over 20 seminar halls, a large exhibition dome, and special facilities for entrepreneurs and startups have been arranged. Daily media briefings will be held at the Tagore Building, he added.

Calling the summit a historic opportunity, Vaghani said it would help position Saurashtra and Kutch as major growth engines of Gujarat’s development. He appealed to the people of Rajkot and the wider region to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister and actively participate in making the summit a success. DeshGujarat