Vadodara: The upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the Central Gujarat region, scheduled to be held at GSFC University, Vadodara, on June 29 and 30, 2026, will focus on a region that has steadily emerged as one of Gujarat’s major industrial and export hubs, according to a press note.

As per the Gujarat government, “In FY 2024-25, Central Gujarat exported goods valued at around Rs 1.74 lakh crore to more than 210 countries. The USA was a key export destination, with exports from the region valued at Rs 41,346 crore. Pharmaceuticals were the largest export category, contributing Rs 31,061 crore to the region’s total exports. Heavy machinery (such as nuclear reactors, boilers, etc.) and mechanical appliances worth Rs 23,585 crore, electrical machinery and equipment worth Rs 15,124 crore, road vehicles and parts worth Rs 12,418 crore, and organic chemicals worth Rs 12,248 crore were exported. Other major export categories included dyeing, tanning and colouring matter, plastics and articles thereof, articles of iron and steel, cotton, and cereals.”

Ahmedabad accounted for 56% of the region’s total exports, valued at Rs 97,752 crore, driven primarily by exports of heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals and road vehicles. Vadodara’s exports of around Rs 41,765 crore included mechanical appliances, electrical machinery, among others. Gandhinagar exported goods worth Rs 13,366 crore, largely comprising plastics and articles thereof, cotton, and iron and steel products.

Panchmahal’s exports worth Rs 11,707.90 crore included pharmaceuticals and electrical machinery and equipment. Anand’s major exports included dyeing, tanning and colouring matter, while Kheda’s key exports comprised plastic articles, electrical equipment and processed food products. Narmada primarily exported edible fruits and nuts, pharmaceuticals, and sugar and sugar confectionery. Mahisagar’s major exports included pharmaceuticals, essential oils and cosmetics. Dahod’s key exports were spices and cereals, while Chhota Udepur’s exports largely consisted of cotton and miscellaneous chemical products.

The region’s strong logistics infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting these exports. Nearly 62% of Gujarat’s geographical area falls within the influence zone of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Mega projects such as the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) and Mandal-Becharaji SIR serve as anchor industrial clusters. Furthermore, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passes through Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand, providing manufacturing units with direct and efficient connectivity to major ports.

By combining the region’s strong industrial growth with the state’s new high-tech economic vision, VGRC Central Gujarat aims to catalyse projects, investments and international partnerships that will further strengthen Gujarat’s economy.

The upcoming regional conference will provide a platform to attract investments in both traditional and emerging sectors, while enabling MSMEs, startups and local enterprises to expand their access to global markets. While the region is well known for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, engineering, chemicals and petrochemicals, auto and auto components, IT/ITeS, and financial services, it is also expanding into emerging sectors such as semiconductors and electronics, aerospace and defence, and the green energy ecosystem. DeshGujarat