Gandhinagar, India – January 10, 2024
The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Themed ‘Gateway to the Future,’ the summit marks a significant milestone in fostering global collaboration, with 34 partner countries and 16 partner organizations participating. This year’s summit also serves as a platform for showcasing investment opportunities in the North-Eastern regions by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region.
Industry leaders from across the globe addressed the gathering, including Shri Lakshmi Mittal of ArcelorMittal, Mr Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Shri Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Group. Notable figures such as Mr Shin Hosaka of Japan, Mr Ibraheem Yoosef al Mubarak of Saudi Arabia, and Mr Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, shared their insights on business plans and praised the Prime Minister’s vision.
Global Leaders Laud India’s Progress
Leaders from various nations, including Mr José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste, and Mr Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, acknowledged the strides made by India. The presence of H.R.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates & Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as the Chief Guest, underscored the deepening ties between India and the UAE.
Prime Minister Modi’s Vision for India
In his address, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his aspirations for India to achieve development by 2047, marking the next 25 years as the ‘Amrit Kaal’ (Golden Era). He emphasized the importance of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in facilitating economic development and investment discussions. The Prime Minister highlighted the growing partnerships with the UAE, focusing on renewable energy, innovative healthcare, and substantial investments in India’s port infrastructure.
Global Recognition of India’s Role
Prime Minister Modi asserted India’s role as a ‘Vishwa Mitra’ (Global Friend) in a rapidly changing world. He highlighted India’s commitment to common collective goals, positioning the country as a pillar of stability, a trusted partner, and an engine of growth in the global economy. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s influence in global affairs, portraying the country as a symbol of confidence in achieving common objectives.
India’s Economic Transformation
Pointing to India’s economic transformation, Prime Minister Modi declared that India is now the 5th largest economy globally, a substantial leap from the 11th position a decade ago. He expressed confidence in India becoming one of the top 3 economies in the world in the next few years, as predicted by various rating agencies. The Prime Minister outlined India’s priorities, including sustainable industries, manufacturing, infrastructure, futuristic technologies, AI, innovation, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
Structural Reforms and Resilience
Prime Minister Modi credited structural reforms for India’s economic resilience and momentum. He highlighted initiatives such as recapitalization, ease of doing business through the abolition of compliances, GST implementation, diversification of the global supply chain, and significant investments in infrastructure and green energy.
Empowering Lives and Future Aspirations
The Prime Minister emphasized that the transformations in India are improving the ease of living and empowering its citizens. He noted that more than 13.5 crore people have risen out of poverty in the last 5 years, with a constant increase in the average income of the middle class. The surge in the participation of the female workforce was also acknowledged as a positive sign for India’s future.
Gateway to the Future
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi invited investors to explore new possibilities in every corner of India, referring to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as a gateway to shaping a new generation of creators and consumers. The Summit, themed ‘Gateway to the Future,’ symbolizes India’s forward-looking approach and commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including H.R.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of Mozambique Mr Filipe Nyusi, President of Timor Leste Mr José Ramos-Horta, and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mr Petr Fiala, among others. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, conceptualized in 2003, has evolved into a prestigious global forum, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.