The next edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), focusing on Central Gujarat, will be held in Vadodara in the last week of June 2026, bringing together stakeholders from industry, government, and academia to highlight the region’s industrial strength, investment opportunities and tourism potential.
Covering 10 districts — Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhotaudepur, Dahod, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mahisagar, Narmada, Panchmahal and Vadodara — Central Gujarat accounts for 28% of the state’s total manufacturing output, according to official data.
District-level data from the Annual Survey of Industries 2022-23 shows that the region contributes 93% of Gujarat’s total output in other transport equipment manufacturing, including railway locomotives, rolling stock, aircraft, spacecraft and two- and three-wheeled vehicles. It also contributes 92 per cent of the state’s auto and auto components output, 70% of beverages manufacturing, and 63 per cent each in pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.
Around 62% of Gujarat’s total area falls under the influence zone of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), with two major projects in Central Gujarat, the 5,560-acre Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) and the 2,849-acre Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region (MBSIR), playing a key role in the corridor’s development.
Officials said each district in the region has developed specialised industrial strengths. Vadodara is led by chemicals and petrochemicals, accounting for 61 per cent of its manufacturing output, while Ahmedabad has strong presence in auto and auto components, textiles, basic metals and pharmaceuticals. Gandhinagar’s manufacturing is driven by food processing, basic metals and chemicals, while also emerging as a centre for electronics and financial technology through the presence of GIFT City.
Anand’s industrial base is centred on agro and dairy processing, while Panchmahal has a strong footprint in auto components, rubber and plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Kheda’s output is driven by rubber and plastics products and food processing, while Narmada, Chhotaudepur and Dahod are largely supported by agro and food processing industries.
In FY 2024-25, Central Gujarat recorded exports worth $20.54 billion, reaching more than 219 countries. Pharmaceuticals led the export basket at $3.67 billion, followed by nuclear reactors, boilers and machinery at $2.79 billion, electrical machinery and equipment at $1.79 billion, road vehicles and parts at $1.47 billion, and organic chemicals at $1.45 billion. The United States was the largest export destination, accounting for 23.8 per cent of total exports, followed by the UAE, Thailand, the UK and Saudi Arabia.
The upcoming conference will focus on sectors including semiconductors and electronics, IT and ITeS, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defence, fintech, auto and auto components, dairy and food processing, education, chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and apparel, green energy, skill development, startups, MSMEs, and tourism and culture.
Tourism and culture will be a major theme of the conference, with emphasis on promoting heritage and eco-tourism destinations across the region. Key attractions include Sabarmati Ashram, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Swaminarayan Akshardham, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, and Statue of Unity. Other tourism sites such as Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary and the Pavagadh Hill corridor are also expected to feature prominently.
The conference builds on the outcomes of the three previous VGRC editions. The inaugural North Gujarat edition in Mehsana in October 2025 saw the signing of 1,264 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth ₹3.25 lakh crore and attracted more than 29,000 registrations and over 440 international delegates from 80 countries.
The Kutch and Saurashtra edition held in Rajkot in January 2026 recorded 5,492 MoUs with proposed investments of ₹5.78 lakh crore and participation from around 400 international delegates representing 57 countries.
The most recent South Gujarat edition in Surat in May 2026 resulted in 2,792 MoUs worth ₹3.53 lakh crore and drew more than 20,000 registrations along with over 150 international delegates from 27 countries.
Published – May 23, 2026 05:33 am IST
