Gujarat at the Forefront

Over the past couple of decades the rural poverty levels have fallen appreciably. The innovative policies put in place in the agricultural sector through Krishi Mahotsav coupled with provision of 24 hour assured power supply, through “Jyotir Gram Yojana” in the villages has led to higher demand for goods and services. There is impressive industrial development, large and rapidly growing local market and well developed infrastructure facilities. Gujarat has intrinsic advantages for attracting investment in urban areas. The Government is facilitating provision of better civic amenities for all its citizens including affordable urban transportation. It is also spearheading innovative policy reforms to improve the urban environment. The Government is encouraging development of knowledge based economic activities, including IT and IT-enabled services and emerging technology areas, which are the economic drivers of the future. Cities and towns of Gujarat have been at the forefront of reforms and have shown the path to other urban local bodies of the country and in the region. To quote a few, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation was the first city in South Asia to access capital market, the urban regeneration of Surat after the scourge of plague into one of the fastest growing cities in the world and Gujarat's efficient land management practices are being studied by other states of India.

The Urban Summit is being planned as a milestone event to strengthen the investor friendly environment in urban centers of Gujarat . Through this two day event, the Government aims to promote high end investment in cities and towns of Gujarat , which are offering conducive environment, reliable services and good quality of life to its citizens. Urban Gujarat is looking ahead with a vision of making cities and towns of Gujarat productive, inclusive, liveable, productive and self sustaining. The summit will provide an opportunity in sharing the initiatives and reforms being undertaken in the state and in exploring mutually beneficial partnerships in its future progress. Through this event, Government of Gujarat is looking ahead to open up newer ventures of economic growth, strengthen partnerships with the private sector, attract high end investments, create jobs and business opportunities in the urban centers.