Gujarat: Mega investments across key sectors discussed at VGGS 2027 curtain-raiser (Lead)

New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a fresh round of meetings with global and domestic companies in New Delhi on Monday, with discussions covering proposed investments in battery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, green fuels, hyperscale data centres and financial services as the state stepped up its outreach ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2027.

At the VGGS 2027 curtain-raiser, Patel met representatives of Russia’s Sberbank, LG Energy Solution, PB Fintech, Mankind Pharma, GHCL, HIF Global and AirTrunk, besides holding discussions with other companies.

The proposed investments discussed during the meetings included a Rs 7,000 crore soda ash manufacturing complex in Kutch, a Rs 1,200 crore pharmaceutical and biotechnology facility, a Rs 3,000 crore offshore premium business through GIFT City and multi-billion-dollar projects in green e-methanol and hyperscale data centres.

During his meeting with Sberbank India representatives, he said, “Russia’s largest banking institution is working to establish its presence in Gujarat to strengthen financial and trade connectivity between India and Russia,” in a post on social media platform X.

Discussions also covered potential collaboration in digital solutions, including smart mobility, urban security and surveillance, healthcare technology involving remote diagnostics, and non-profit skilling initiatives for young people.

Patel also met Prashant Kumar, Deputy Managing Director of LG Energy Solution. The discussions focused on the company’s investment roadmap for battery-cell manufacturing and large-scale energy-storage solutions of 10-12 GWh.

With PB Fintech Group President Rajiv Gupta, Patel discussed initiatives for improving insurance awareness across Gujarat in Gujarati, an affordable healthcare network initiative aimed at developing 1,000 hospitals, and the company’s expanding international business through GIFT City’s international financial ecosystem.

Patel said the group had Rs 3,000 crore in offshore premiums. Pharmaceutical investment was another focus, with Mankind Pharma Promoter and COO Arjun Juneja.

Patel said they reviewed progress on the company’s upcoming Rs 1,200 crore pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facility in Gujarat, with Phase I scheduled to be commissioned by March 2027.

They also discussed policy continuity and incentives under Gujarat’s biotechnology framework.

GHCL Managing Director R S Jalan discussed the company’s proposed Rs 7,000 crore investment in a world-scale soda ash manufacturing complex spread across 1,000 acres in Mandvi, Kutch.

The company is also planning to invest Rs 200 crore in spinning and weaving at the PM MITRA Mega Textile Park in Gujarat.

HIF Global Director Rajesh Khanna discussed two major projects: a proposed USD 4 billion green e-methanol plant at Kandla and a USD 7 billion-plus, 1 GW hyperscale data centre at Dholera SIR, with indigenous technology integration.

Data infrastructure was also discussed with AirTrunk Managing Director (Corporate & International) Carly Wishart.

Patel said the company is exploring large-scale hyperscale facilities in Gujarat to meet growing demand for cloud and artificial intelligence computing.

AirTrunk representatives appreciated Gujarat’s newly launched Viksit Gujarat Data Centre Policy 2026-29, power availability, subsea cable connectivity and renewable-energy integration, according to Patel.

The Chief Minister also met Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, during the curtain-raiser.

Their discussions covered strengthening Gujarat-NSW ties, building on Australian university campuses in GIFT City, sports exchanges, and possible cooperation in critical minerals and chip processing.

Minns expressed enthusiasm about the VGGS 2027, with New South Wales expected to send an active delegation.

The meetings are part of Gujarat’s preparations for VGGS 2027, scheduled for January 10 to 12 next year.

The curtain-raiser in New Delhi follows Patel’s recent investment outreach to the United States and Canada. It aims to build partnerships and advance investment proposals ahead of the main summit.

–IANS

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