The three-day event is expected to culminate in the signing of MoUs promising huge investments in diverse sectors in the State. The biennial global investor summit, organised by the Gujarat Government, will be held from January 11 to 13, 2013.

 

 In the 2011 Summit, over 8,000 MoUs were signed promising investments of a whopping Rs 20 lakh crore. International port authorities and port operators including major players like Israel Ports Company and Port of Antwerp will share technical and management expertise with private port operators in Gujarat.

 

The upcoming investment summit, Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit, 2013 will see more of knowledge sharing on sustainability of ports and shipping sector in the state over fresh investment promises, informed government officials.

 

“Gujarat with its inclusive, sustainable and rapid growth, is emerging as globally preferred place to live in and to do business. Gujarat Maritime Board has set a benchmark for port development in India by developing one of the most successful and unique business models of operation, i.e. Coming out of service mode of development to landlord port development”, according to the sources.

 

"Port operators and authorities from Antwerp, Israel, Russia and other countries will remain present at the summit. Fresh investments in the ports sector will be a derivative of this summit," said a senior official in the state industries department.

 

The port operators and authorities from overseas are likely to share their expertise to handle large-sized and complex vessels at the ports. Also, they will interact with entrepreneurs and state officials to bring improvement in the management and operations of ports and port traffic.

 

The theme for the port seminar will be enhancing sustainability in Port-led Development in Gujarat.

 

According to the details provided by the state officials, representatives of Israel Ports Company, Port of Antwerp, Port of Rotterdam and those from port authorities of Russia and US will also mark their presence this Vibrant Summit.

 

The Indian Ports serves as the Gateway to India’s international trade by handling over 95% of all Export Import trade in terms of volume and 70% in terms of value. The traffic in terms of cargo handled by Indian ports recorded an impressive compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.4% between 2007 and 2012. During the same time, Gujarat’s Port registered the CAGR of 14.6%. Ports and Shipping significantly contributes to the three pillars of sustainable development - social, environmental and economic.

 

The officials from these port authorities will showcase strengths of their port facilities and interact with industry and entrepreneurs in the state.

 

This year’s Vibrant Gujarat Summit will focus on forging knowledge-led strategic partnerships and global collaborations, said Modi, adding that a series of knowledge-sharing and thematic events have been lined. Delegation from Japan, Canada, US, UK and UAE, besides several Indian States, are expected to attend the event. With a view to generate more employment, the Summit will also focus on the MSMEs.

 

Japan and Canada will again be partners in the Summit in which business delegations from 30-odd countries would participate, apart from over 5,000 delegates from within India.

 

According to state officials, ports and shipping sector in the state will be one of the key areas that will attract attention from global players.

 

"The state has a robust ports policy that encourages private sector investment. Also, a long coastline provides good potential for ports and shipping industry to develop here.

 

We expect port operators from Europe, US and Russia visiting this VGGIS," said a senior official at Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).

 

 "We will encourage international port authorities to bring their expertise in the port management and technology. Sustainability will be one of the focus areas for GMB this VGGIS," the official informed.

 

In the VGGIS 2011, overall ports and shipping sector had seen investment promises for about Rs 100,000 crore.

 

The previous summits focused on mobilising series of investments across the industry sectors of Gujarat. However, since the 2011 Summit, the Government has given special emphasis on addressing need for youth development, increasing skill development and creating employment opportunities, creating more women entrepreneurs and giving a boost to the sunrise sectors such as green energy, Maheshwar Sahu, Principal Secretary (Industries), said.

 

Events leading to the Summit will start on January 5 with a series of knowledge-sharing programs, numbering over a hundred. Industry captains from the Tata Group, Reliance Industries, ADA Group, Essar Group, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra will also be present.

 

In 2011, Mr Sunil Mittal of Bharati Group and Mr Anil Ambani, among others, had favored Mr Modi to “lead the country”.

 

A highlight of the Summit is the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show spread across an area of more than 100,000 square meters with participation from over 1,000 companies from more than 25 sectors and 14 countries. Over a million people are expected to visit the Trade Show.