GANDHINAGAR : Mr. Rajkumar Beniwal, IAS, Vice Chairman and CEO of Gujarat Maritime Board, Government of Gujarat has announced that the Gujarat Maritime Board, under the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, will be hosting an informative and interactive seminar on “Port-Led City Development in Gujarat: A Vision for the Future.” 

Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has attracted investment proposals of Rs 1.50 lakh crore by inking investment intentions with over 200 entities ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024. GMB, a state government agency for port development, inked more than 140 Investment Intention Forms (IIFs) and about 50 strategic partnership MoUs, he said.

The cumulative proposed investment amounts to Rs 1.50 lakh crore, with 90,000 employment opportunities in the run-up to the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit to be held in Gandhinagar from January 10-12, said Mr. Rajkumar Beniwal.

“The seminar is designed to explore, discuss, and promote the transformative potential of port-led development in the urban system,” he said.

He said the upcoming seminar aims to enhance understanding of the port-led city development concept, emphasising its potential for economic growth and urban transformation.

The event seeks to explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, investments, and collaborations to expedite port-led city development through technology and innovation in smart infrastructure, logistics, and sustainability for port-led cities, he added.

The inaugural session is likely to be attended by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sabarnanda Sonowal among other dignitaries, he said.

The first panel discussion will focus on various aspects of economic growth through ports, exploring topics such as global trends in port-led development, innovative business models in port management, technology and digitalization in port operations, environmental sustainability, and case studies of successful port-led economic zones.

Distinguished speakers for this panel include Mr. Jonathan Goldner, Chief Executive – Asia and Middle East at APM Terminals; Mohamed Eidha AlMenhali, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; Mr. Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD for India Subcontinent & Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World; Mr. Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director of JM Baxi Group; and Mr. Subrat Tripathy, CEO (Ports) at APSEZ.

The second panel will offer a visionary perspective on the integration of ports with urban and industrial development. Topics of discussion include infrastructure development for port cities, the role of ports in urban planning and smart city integration, resilience and risk management in port cities, cultural and social impact of port development, and international investment opportunities and challenges.

Speakers for this panel include Bart de Jong, Consul General of the Netherlands in Mumbai; Auguste Tano Kouamé, Country Director at the World Bank; Shri S K Mehta, IFS, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA); Mr. Manoranjan Kumar, Chief of Port Operations & Development at Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel, India; and Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman of Allcargo Logistics.

Mr. Beniwal concluded by extending a warm invitation to stakeholders, industry leaders, academicians, maritime students, and policymakers to join the seminar for an insightful and engaging discussion on the transformative aspects of Port-Led City Development.