The upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) is set to take place in Vadodara in late June 2026, with a specific focus on reviewing the industrial and economic landscape of Central Gujarat. This region, encompassing districts like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Gandhinagar, contributes significantly to Gujarat’s manufacturing output, accounting for about 28% of the state’s total production. The conference aims to build on the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit by promoting investments and industrial planning tailored to Central Gujarat’s key sectors such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
Central Gujarat, known for its strong presence in industries like auto manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, plays a vital role in Gujarat’s industrial framework. The region’s specialization in various sectors, as highlighted by the Annual Survey of Industries, underscores its importance in the state’s economic landscape. With a substantial portion of Gujarat falling under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, ongoing projects like the Dholera Special Investment Region and Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region are poised to further boost industrial development in the area.
District-wise industrial profiles reveal the unique strengths of each area within Central Gujarat. For instance, Vadodara excels in chemicals and petrochemicals production, while Ahmedabad contributes significantly to auto components and textiles. Gandhinagar’s manufacturing base is driven by food processing and basic metals, supported by infrastructure like GIFT City. Anand focuses on agro and dairy processing, Panchmahal on auto components, and Kheda on rubber and plastic products and food processing.
The region’s export prowess is also noteworthy, with Central Gujarat recording a total export value of $20.54 billion in the financial year 2024-25. Key export sectors include pharmaceuticals, nuclear reactors, electrical machinery, and road vehicles. The United States stands out as the largest export destination, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. The upcoming VGRC will further spotlight emerging sectors like semiconductors, biotechnology, green energy, and tourism, aiming to attract investments and promote the region’s heritage and ecological assets.
