In January 2026, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference(VGRC) 2026 for Kutch and Saurashtra Region, held from January 11 to 15, 2026, at Marwadi University in Rajkot, Gujarat.
- The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) was conducted in Rajkot as an integral part of VGRC 2026.
Exam Hints:
- What? Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) 2026 Held
- When? January 11 to 15, 2026
- Where? Rajkot (Gujarat)
- Inaugurated by: PM Narendra Modi
- Partner Countries: Japan, South Korea, Rwanda, Ukraine
- MoUs Signed: 5,492 MoUs (Rs.5.78 lakh crores)
- Investments: RIL, Adani Group, Welspun Group, Jyoti CNC Industries
Highlights of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference(VGRC) 2026:
Participants: The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, MSMEs, startups, artisans, academia, export bodies, and international delegates.
Partner Countries: It includes Japan, South Korea, Rwanda, Ukraine.
Focus Sectors: Ceramics, Engineering, Ports & Logistics, Fisheries, Petrochemicals, Agro & Food Processing, Minerals, Green Energy, Skill Development, Startups, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Tourism, and Culture.
Book Release: During the program, the book “Kutch & Saurashtra: Anchoring Gujarat’s Vision 2047” was officially released by the dignitaries in attendance.
Key Investments in VGRC 2026:
Reliance Industries: During the conference, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) committed to double its investment to Rs.7 lakh crores in Gujarat over the next five years.
- It includes a green energy ecosystem such as solar, green hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel, advanced materials and manufacturing, and Multi-Gigawatt (GW) solar parks in Kutch, Gujarat.
- It also includes India’s largest Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready data centre in Jamnagar(Gujarat) and related digital infrastructure, social infrastructure such as world-class hospitals and expansion of education facilities.
Adani Group: Adani Group will invest Rs.1.50 lakh crore over the next five years in Mundra and Kutch (Gujarat), primarily to develop a 37 Gigawatt(GW) Renewable Energy (RE) park, one of the largest RE facilities in India.
Welspun Group: It will invest Rs.5000 crores in Gujarat to establish the world’s largest pipeline manufacturing facility, strengthening industrial diversification and infrastructure supply chains in Gujarat.
Jyoti CNC Industries: It will invest Rs.10,000 crores over the next five years in Gujarat in manufacturing, Research and Development (R&D), and skill development, with a focus on precision engineering for strategic sectors such as aerospace and defence.
MoUs Signed:
Overview: During the VGRC 2026, 5,492 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs.5.78 lakh crores (approximately USD 70 billion) were signed, aimed at developing Saurashtra and Kutch regions as key economic engines aligned with the Government of India (GoI)’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Fisheries: An MoU worth Rs.11.49 crore was signed by a fish supplier company with an aim to strengthen investment and collaboration in the fisheries industry.
Hydrogen Integration: An MoU was signed by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and DVGW (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water) of Germany.
- The MoU aims to create a framework for cooperation on integrating hydrogen into India’s natural gas network.
About Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition(VCRE):
Overview: It is a five-day business, trade, and innovation showcase organized by the Government of Gujarat. It serves as a public-facing expo featuring enterprises, government departments, innovators, artisans, and industry leaders.
Participants: The event witnessed participation of over 450 exhibitors, including 160 MSMEs, 60 startups and innovators, 62 artisans, and approximately 70 central and state government stalls.
Focus Sectors: It includes agriculture, food processing, defence, energy, petrochemicals, engineering, ports & logistics, fisheries, crafts, and technology.
Thematic Domes & Pavilions: The exhibition is organized into domes with focused themes such as Gateway to Global Growth, Green Energy Ecosystem & Petrochemicals, Crafts Village & MSME Pavilion, Ocean of Opportunities, Enterprise Excellence Pavilion, and Public Sector Powerhouse.
Health Pavilion: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) established a comprehensive Health Pavilion centered on the theme “Swasthya Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
- It offered free healthcare services, screenings, counselling, and awareness activities.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister (CM) – Bhupendra Patel
Governor – Acharya Dev Vrat
Capital – Gandhinagar
Ramsar Sites – Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Wadhvana Wetland
