San Francisco, Aug 17 (IANS) Gujarati professionals and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley could play a greater role in Gujarat’s emerging technology ecosystem, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said in San Francisco on Monday as he began his week-long visit to the United States and Canada.
Addressing members of the Gujarati diaspora, Patel highlighted their contribution to semiconductors, artificial intelligence and innovation and said the state government wanted to build stronger links between global Gujarati talent and companies and industries in Gujarat.
“The significant contribution of Gujaratis, particularly in Silicon Valley, to the emerging sectors of semiconductors, AI technology and innovation is commendable,” Patel said.
He added that connecting such talent with industries in Gujarat would create opportunities for knowledge sharing, technological collaboration and mentorship.
The interaction in San Francisco marked the first engagement of Patel’s visit, during which he is leading a high-level state delegation to the US and Canada to invite investors and industries to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2027 and explore investment opportunities in the state.
Patel told the gathering that Gujarat had emerged as a growth engine of the country and said: “The state was working towards its own development vision of Viksit Gujarat-2047, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat-2047”.
“Gujarat aimed to develop into a global hub for new-age sectors including semiconductors, AI, data centres and biotechnology,” he said.
The Chief Minister also invited members of the Gujarati community, along with industry and business leaders in the San Francisco region, to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2027.
The meeting included a question-and-answer session in which diaspora members sought information about Gujarat’s development and opportunities emerging across sectors.
Patel said the government wanted to use Gujaratis’ global expertise to strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem. Gujarat has been positioning itself as a major destination for semiconductor and technology investments.
In March, Patel said: “The state is seeking to become India’s ‘gateway to Silicon’, with Dholera and Sanand being developed as centres for semiconductor manufacturing and GIFT City providing an ecosystem for technology, finance and design.”
During the interaction, Patel also spoke about the cultural connection maintained by Gujarati families living thousands of kilometres from their home state.
He said their continued observance of Gujarati language, festivals, celebrations and values reflected their connection with Gujarat.
Patel’s visit focuses on engaging with investors, industry associations, and leaders in emerging technology sectors, as well as interacting with the Gujarati diaspora.
The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings and discussions in the US before travelling to Canada, with the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2027 forming a key focus of the outreach.
Chief Secretary M.K. Das, senior state government secretaries, representatives accompanying the delegation and members of the Gujarati diaspora attended the San Francisco interaction.
–IANS
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