Gandhinagar, 10 January 2024:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, today. Eminent guests from over 130 countries, including the President of the UAE, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and the Presidents of Mozambique and Timor Leste were present at the inaugural ceremony. The Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat, and Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, also graced this event.
While inaugurating Amrit Kaal’s first and Gujarat’s 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that as the nation commemorates 75 years of independence, our collective aim is to establish Viksit Bharat by the year 2047, marking the completion of 100 years since independence, and to continue progressing towards this goal over the next 25 years. He emphasized that this first Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit during India’s Amrit Kaal will be a significant means to realize new aspirations, resolutions, and accomplishments.
The Prime Minister said that the representatives from over 100 countries are attending the first Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit of Amrit Kaal as significant partners in India’s developmental journey. Emphasizing that the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has transformed into a worldwide forum, he said, it serves as a platform for exchanging insights and experiences concerning economic development and investment.
Expressing happiness at the UAE’s collaboration under the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the Prime Minister said that the UAE President’s presence as the chief guest symbolizes the ever-strengthening and cordial ties between the two nations. Highlighting the deepening trade relations between India and the UAE, the Prime Minister, in his address, mentioned the signing of MoUs for the development of food parks, and investments in renewable energy and innovative healthcare. He also lauded investments exceeding a billion dollars by UAE companies for the development of port infrastructure in India. Pointing out the commencement of operations in Gift City by the Sovereign Funds of the UAE and the upcoming aircraft and ship leasing activities by Transworld Company, the Prime Minister attributed the new heights of the relationship between the two countries to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
Welcoming Mozambique President Mr Filipe Nyusi to the summit, PM Modi proudly said that President Nyusi has been a former student of IIM Ahmedabad. Highlighting the confirmation of the African Union’s permanent membership during India’s chairmanship of G-20, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the presence of the Mozambique President here would not only strengthen the ties between India and Mozambique but also between India and the African Union.
Highlighting the long-standing partnership between the Czech Republic and the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Prime Minister Modi remarked that the first visit of Czech Prime Minister Mr Petr Fiala to India as Prime Minister would deepen the relationship between the two nations. The Prime Minister elaborated on the collaboration in the automobile, technology, and manufacturing sectors between the two countries.
Welcoming President José Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, PM Shri Narendra Modi expressed the significance of Mr Jose’s visit to Gandhinagar, drawing parallels between Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence and Timor-Leste’s struggle for freedom. PM Shri Narendra Modi emphasized upon the importance of collaboration between Timor-Leste and various organizations, including ASEAN.
The Prime Minister said that the Vibrant Summit has served as a global platform for over two decades, fostering new ideas and creating opportunities for fresh investments and returns. Speaking on theme of the 20th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, ‘Gateway to the Future,’ he asserted that the bright future of the 21st-century world can only be realized through collaborative efforts. He pointed out that a roadmap for the world’s future was outlined during India’s G-20 chairmanship and this roadmap is actively progressing along the vision of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
India is strengthening collaborations with I2U2 and various other multilateral organizations. The principle of ‘One World, One Family, One Future’ has evolved into a necessity for global well-being.
The principle of One World, One Family, One Future is a crucial factor for global welfare. The country is progressing towards establishing itself as a Vishva Mitra (Global Friend). India has successfully convinced the global community that common collective goals can be realized. The world acknowledges India for its talent, dedication, and hard work contributing to global well-being, resulting in increased safety and prosperity. India is now perceived as synonymous with stability, a trusted friend, a partner committed to people-centric development, an engine of growth in the global economy, a solution-oriented technology hub, a powerhouse of talented youth, and a thriving democracy.
The Prime Minister said that the collective strength of India’s 1.4 billion citizens, along with the government’s unwavering commitment to people-centred inclusiveness and equality, serves as pivotal factors for global prosperity and development. Marking India’s ascent from 11th to the 5th largest economy over the past decade, he confidently stated that in the foreseeable future, India is poised to rank among the top three economies worldwide. While experts may scrutinize this projection, he assured that India is on track to become the third-largest economy in the world.
Saying that India is emerging as a beacon of hope in a world marked by numerous uncertainties, the Prime Minister highlighted the abundant opportunities within the country. These opportunities span across sectors such as manufacturing and infrastructure, modern skills, advanced technology, innovation, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
The Prime Minister credited the development of infrastructure as the foundation for the stability and ongoing growth of the economy, significantly enhancing its capacity, strength, and competitiveness. The implementation of GST has streamlined taxation processes, making them more accessible. Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UAE which has resulted in a record influx of investment in infrastructure and a five-fold increase in capital expenditure. The substantial advancements in green and alternative energy sources, including a threefold increase in renewable energy capacity and a twentyfold increase in solar energy capacity, were emphasized as focal points of progress. The widespread availability of the mobile network at affordable data costs was underscored, along with the mention of the country’s status as the home to the third-largest startup ecosystem, boasting over one lakh registered startups, and the provision of optical fibre and 5G connectivity in every village.
Highlighting the ongoing improvements in the “ease of living” within the country, he pointed out that over 130 million people have risen above poverty levels in the past five years. Moreover, the average income of the middle class is steadily on the rise. He called upon all delegates to invest in India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the transformative impact of modern policy reforms in the logistics and transport system, noting that the number of airports has surged from 74 to 159 in the last decade. He emphasized key infrastructure developments, such as the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor announced during G20 along with the expansion of dedicated freight corridors to double the national highway network, and the tripling of the metro network. National waterways, port development, and various other sectors were also underscored as offering abundant investment opportunities. The Prime Minister positioned the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as a gateway for investments, emphasizing that investing in India goes beyond financial gains, as it contributes to nurturing a new generation of ambitious and creative consumers. He encouraged engagement with the younger generation, suggesting that the rewards may surpass expectations.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel warmly welcomed the heads of various countries, global leaders, and the global business community to the tenth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gujarat.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Chief Minister said that this edition, being the first Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in India’s Amrit Kaal, will pave the way for its ‘Amrit Bhavishya.’ He further mentioned that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the pioneer and architect of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. The Prime Minister, he said, has referred to this event as a summit of bonding along with business branding, as evidenced by the substantial presence of heads of state and businessmen from around the world at VGGS-24.
He added that the success of the summit for two decades has elevated it to a respected platform for knowledge sharing and networking. Further, he said that the mantra ‘Gujarat Can and Gujarat Will,’ given by the Prime Minister in 2003, aligns with India’s global standing.
The Chief Minister said that the Summit’s theme is ‘Gateway to the Future,’ encompassing various national priorities outlined by the Prime Minister, including semiconductor and electronics, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and futuristic sectors like electric mobility, and MSME. The summit is specifically focused on skill development, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that 50% of the MoUs being signed during this Summit are categorized as Green MoUs. This classification highlights Gujarat’s commitment to environmental protection and the fight against climate change.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has offered a vision for Gujarat’s world-class development and has been a source of inspiration for new initiatives in every Vibrant Gujarat Summit. As a result of his inspiration, Gujarat has emerged as the premier destination for investment, and the growth engine of the country today. The Chief Minister affirmed Gujarat’s dedication to preserving its identity as a policy-driven state. He said that guided by the Prime Minister, Gujarat is wholeheartedly committed to embracing and respecting every policy.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Prime Minister’s contribution to making Gujarat a global financial hub, stating that PM Modi provided a vision for Gujarat to engage in global financial activities. As a result, today GIFT City has become the hub for many prominent financial and fintech companies worldwide.
The Chief Minister concluded that the participation of 34 partner countries, representatives of 16 partner organizations, along delegates from more than 130 countries, including chairpersons, CEOs, and senior representatives from the global industry and business community in this edition of the Summit will make it a grand success.
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