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VIBRANT GUJARAT 2017 NETWORKING EVENT IN MELBOURNE

Announcement posted by Australia India Women Entrepreneurs Forum 28 Jul 2016

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Gujarat has added one more feather to its cap: of being the easiest state in India for doing business, thanks to its government’s investment-friendly policies, tax reforms and progressive pro-people approach.

During Narendra Modi’s early years in politics as the head of the State of Gujarat, he sowed the seeds of confidence for making Gujarat a premiere choice destination for foreign direct investments. Fast-forward 13 years, and today, Gujarat stands before the world as a brand that is buzzing with positivity, possibilities, and many, many partnerships.

Vibrant Gujarat, a biennial global investors’ summit, was conceived in 2003 to present Gujarat as the city for the Asian century. A coastal state, it is well connected to major Indian cities and the world by road, air and sea, and houses the world’s largest grassroots petroleum refinery; ship breaking and recycling yard; fully mechanised coal terminal; and, sponge iron plant. Moreover, Gujarat has established a firm base in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, minerals, ceramics, dairy, gems and jewellery, textiles, auto and engineering, IT, power, and ports. It is also known as India’s manufacturing capital, and “accounts for 16 per cent of the country’s industrial production and 22 per cent of its exports”.

“Once upon a time, Gujarat was the gateway to the globe from India. Now, it is becoming the global gateway to India. We will make such a Gujarat that the whole world will make it their home,” Modi said while addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013. And today, after seven successful editions, it has transformed the state into a global business hub and become India’s “principle economic summit”.  

Many global leaders, such as Mr Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General, United Nations; Mr John Kerry, Secretary of State, USA; Dr Jim Young Kim, President, World Bank; Mr Osamu Suzuki, Chairman, Suzuki Motor Corporation; and, Mr Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries, among others, have vouched for Gujarat as the state with the most investment potential in India.  

Last year, for instance, which saw the biggest ever summit to date, Vibrant Gujarat signed 21,000 memorandums of understanding worth INR 25 lakh crores, inked 1,225 strategic partnerships, and boasted participation from 110 countries. It also enjoyed the support of eight partner countries – the US, the Great Britain, Japan, Canada, Holland, Australia, Singapore and South Africa.

The eighth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, set to take place from January 10 to 13, 2017, at the Mahatma Mandir Exhibition and Convention Centre, Gandhi Nagar, under the theme of ‘Sustainable Economic and Social Development’, will bring together heads of states, governments and international institutions, corporate leaders, senior policy makers, renowned academicians and industry experts from across the globe. It will host a range of knowledge seminars featuring global luminaires, B2B and B2G meetings, networking forums for small businesses to connect with potential partners to explore partnership opportunities, and demo sessions for companies to showcase the latest industry trends and technologies, and products and services. More than 2,000 companies from 25 sectors are expected to attend this summit from 100-plus countries, totalling two million visitors, of which 2,500 will comprise international delegates. 

In the lead-up to this highly anticipated event, Vibrant Gujarat is organising several road shows around the world – including Australia.

In partnership with Tax Planners and Assetel, the Australia-India Women Entrepreneurs Forum is conducting a Networking Luncheon with the Vibrant Gujarat Delegation on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at Tandoori Flames (15, Vernon Street, South Kingsville, VIC 3015), from 11:30am to 03:00pm. Tickets, priced at $50 per person, can be purchased at www.slsetickets.com.au.

Participants can meet and engage with a 15-strong delegation from Vibrant Gujarat, including Mr Pankaj Kumar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation; Ms Manjula Pooja Shroff, Chairperson, Karolex Foundation; Mr Mahendra Patel, Chairman, Mamta Group; and, Mr Palak Sheth, Director of Planning and Development, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, and discover, first-hand, the numerous prospects and benefits of doing business on the Indian soil. There will also be a panel discussion on “India-Australia: The Relationship of Mutual Benefit”, featuring Ms Rohini Kappadath, Director of Cross-Border Business, Pitcher Partners, Australia, among others.

The Founder of AIWEF, Ms Nildhara Gadani, says: “At present, India offers numerous growth opportunities for businesses around the world that want to invest in the nation. I am confident that this networking event in Melbourne will enable Australian businesses to better understand India’s business environment. They can also find out about the many advantages of participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, often touted as the Davos of the East.”

Among supporters of the event include the Australia India Business Council.

About the AIWEF

The Australia-India Women Entrepreneurs Forum (AIWEF) is an international voluntary and not-for-profit organisation that focuses on nurturing business relationships between women entrepreneurs and independent sole traders from Australia and India. To learn more, visit: www.aiwef.org.au.

 

References

1.      ‘Why Gujarat’, http://www.asialabex.com/why-gujarat.php, 2016, (accessed 24 July 2016)

2.      ‘Vibrant Gujarat’, http://www.vibrantgujarat.com/index.htm, 2016, (accessed 24 July 2016)

3.      Industrial Extension Bureau, ‘Vibrant Gujarat: Bridge To A Million Opportunities’, 2016, http://vibrantgujarat.com/writereaddata/Images/pdf/brochure-2017.pdf, (accessed 24 July 2016)

4.      ‘Speech of Mr Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat, at the Inaugural Function of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2013’, http://www.narendramodi.in/cm-speech-at-the-inaugural-function-of-vibrant-gujarat-global-summit-2013-2758, 2013, (accessed 24 July 2016)

5.‘Vibrant Gujarat’ now India’s principle economic summit: Jaitley’, The Hindu, 11 January 2015, http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/vibrant-gujarat-summit-2015-vibrant-gujarat-now-indias-principle-economic-summit-finance-minister-arun-jaitley/article6777815.ece, (accessed 24 July 2016)