Surat to Host Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference on May 1–2

Overview

• VGRC South Gujarat will run May 1–2 at AURO University in Surat, with a five-day mango festival slated for May 1–5 on the same campus.
• After a state Cabinet review, officials said partner countries include Japan, Rwanda, Ukraine and Singapore, and they expect announcements on new smart GIDC industrial estates and memoranda of understanding.
• Official data show Gujarat produced about 2.40 lakh metric tonnes of chikoo in 2024–25, with South Gujarat supplying over 1.15 lakh tonnes worth more than Rs 230 crore.
• Organisers plan sessions to draw investment into processing, cold chains, warehousing, ripening sites, agri-logistics and agri-tech to raise farmer incomes.
• The programme will also spotlight Surat’s GI-tagged zari sector, which industry leaders say employs about 2.5 lakh people across roughly 800 units with annual turnover near Rs 800–900 crore.