Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference to be held in Vadodara next month

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], May 23 : Building upon the success and legacy of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the next edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) is scheduled to be held in Vadodara during the last week of June 2026, focusing on the Central Gujarat region.
The region encompasses 10 districts, namely, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhotaudepur, Narmada, and Mahisagar, accounting for 28% of Gujarat's total manufacturing output.
As per District-level data of the Annual Survey of Industries 2022-23, the Central Gujarat region contributed 93% of the state's total Other Transport Equipment manufacturing output (which includes railway locomotives, rolling stock, air and spacecraft, two- and three-wheeled vehicles, etc.), 92% of Auto & Auto Components, 70% of Beverages, and 63% each of Pharmaceuticals and Electrical Equipment, a release said.
Around 62% of the total area within Gujarat is covered under the influence area of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), making the state an ideal destination for investors. Anchoring this corridor's progress within Central Gujarat are two flagship projects in various phases of development, the 5,560-acre Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) and the 2,849-acre Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region (MBSIR).
Each district has its own industrial character and strength in the region. Vadodara's Chemicals & Petrochemicals sector accounted for 61% of the district's total manufacturing output. Ahmedabad leads in Auto & Auto Components (18%), Textiles (15%), Basic Metals (13%), and Pharmaceuticals (9%). Gandhinagar's manufacturing output is driven by Food Processing (18%), Basic Metals (17%), and Chemicals (14%).
The state capital leads the region's electronics and financial technology sectors through the presence of GIFT City, supported by its academic institutions.
Anand's manufacturing base is built on Agro and Dairy Processing (50%) and Chemicals (12%). Panchmahal draws its strength from the Auto & Auto Components (23%), Rubber & Plastics (19%), and Pharmaceuticals (15%) sectors. Kheda is driven by Rubber & Plastics products (23%) and Food Processing (22%). Narmada's output is dominated by Food Processing (92%), while Chhotaudepur contributed through Agro & Food Processing (56%) and Dahod through Food Processing (48%).
In FY 2024-25, the region's total exports reached $20.54 billion, extending Central Gujarat's commercial reach across more than 219 countries. Pharmaceuticals led the export basket at $3.67 billion (17.8%), followed by Nuclear Reactors, Boilers & Machinery at $2.79 billion (13.6%), Electrical Machinery & Equipment at $1.79 billion (8.7%), Road Vehicles & Parts at $1.47 billion (7%), Organic Chemicals at $1.45 billion (7%), and Dyeing, Tanning & Colouring Matter at $1.03 billion (5%). The USA was the largest export destination, accounting for 23.8% ($4.88 billion) of the total, followed by the UAE at 7.3%, Thailand at 3%, the UK at 2.8%, and Saudi Arabia at 2.7%.
For the upcoming VGRC (Central Gujarat), the focus sectors include Semiconductors & Electronics, IT & ITeS, Biotech, Pharmaceuticals, Aerospace & Defence, Fintech, Auto & Auto Components, Dairy & Food Processing, Education, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Textiles & Apparels, Green Energy Ecosystem, Skill Development, Startups, MSMEs, and Tourism & Culture.
A prominent highlight of the VGRC is its focus on Tourism & Culture as a stimulus for regional economic growth. By promoting heritage tourism and world-class destinations such as the Statue of Unity, Central Gujarat aims to attract international visitors and boost local economic activity.
With its exceptional diversity, the region stands out as a high-potential version of the state's broader tourism strategy. Central Gujarat boasts a dense concentration of spiritual, historical, and archaeological landmarks, anchored by iconic sites such as Ahmedabad's Gandhi Ashram, Vadodara's Laxmi Vilas Palace, Gandhinagar's Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, and Panchmahal's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
Beyond heritage, the region drives initiatives like eco-tourism and experiential travel, focusing on Narmada's globally renowned Statue of Unity, the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, and Panchmahal's scenic Pavagadh Hill corridor.
Furthermore, with major urban centres hosting state-of-the-art facilities like Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir, the region acts as a primary hub for lucrative MICE tourism.
The three preceding editions of the VGRC have established a strong track record. Each brought together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and academic institutions in a focused regional format, channelling the larger Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit's ethos into concentrated, sector-specific dialogue aligned with the goals of Viksit Bharat at 2047.
The inaugural edition for North Gujarat, held in Mehsana (October 2025), witnessed 1,264 MoUs, projecting investments of Rs 3.25 lakh crore, with 29,000+ registrations and participation of 440+ international delegates from 80+ countries.
This was followed by the Kutch & Saurashtra edition in Rajkot (January 2026), which witnessed 5,492 MoUs with proposed investments of Rs 5.78 lakh crore, approximately 29,000 registrations, as well as participation of about 400 international delegates from 57 countries.
The South Gujarat edition in Surat (May 2026) resulted in 2,792 MoUs with proposed investments of Rs 3.53 lakh crore, drawing 20,000+ registrations and 150+ international delegates from 27 countries.