Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], January 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's "Reform Express" at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, emphasising next-gen reforms driving growth.
Addressing the Regional Conference, PM Modi said that Saurashtra and Kutch were becoming a major hub for India's green development, green mobility, and energy security.
PM Modi outlined key reforms, including GST reforms that boosted MSMEs and positively impacted sectors; 100% FDI approved insurance sector; Income Tax law updated after 60 years, benefiting crores of taxpayers and labour reforms that will benefit workers, industry. He linked reforms to India's goal of becoming a developed nation.
Addressing the Regional Conference, PM Modi said, "Today's India is working rapidly towards the goal of becoming developed, and the 'Reform Express' plays a very big role in achieving this goal of ours. Reform Express means next-generation reforms in every sector. Just a short while ago, the country implemented next-generation GST reforms. It has shown a good impact on every sector. MSMEs are getting a great advantage. India, riding on the Reform Express, has made a major reform in the insurance sector. India has given approval to 100 percent FDI limit. Similarly, after nearly six decades, the Income Tax law has been modernised. This has benefited crores of taxpayers. India has also implemented historic labour reforms... Meaning, whether workers or industry, everyone benefits from this."
He further said that India is becoming a global hub for data-based innovation, AI research and semiconductor manufacturing.
"Power demand in India is increasing. India has a huge need for assured energy. In the nuclear power sector, we have done next-generation reform. Through the Shanti Act, we have opened the civil nuclear sector for private partnership," he further said.
He said that Saurashtra and Kutch were becoming a major hub for India's green development, green mobility, and energy security. He lauded the progress in Kutch and Jamnagar and said that they were becoming major centres for green hydrogen production.
PM Narendra Modi said, "Saurashtra and Kutch are also becoming a major hub for India's green development, green mobility, and energy security. A 30-gigawatt capacity Renewable Energy Park is being built in Kutch. This will be the world's largest hybrid renewable energy park. You can imagine that this park is five times larger than the city of Paris. That is, in this region, along with the commitment to clean energy, there is also the reality of business-scale implementation. All of you are familiar with the potential of green hydrogen. In India, unprecedented speed and scale of work is underway in this direction. Here, Kutch and Jamnagar are becoming major centres for green hydrogen production. A massive Battery Energy Storage System is being established in Kutch."
He further said that along with renewable energy, green stability was also being ensured.
"A big part of India's export moves from Saurashtra and Kutch. Pipavav and Mundra have become major hub for automobile exports. Last year from Gujarat's ports, 1.75 lakh vehicles were exported. Not only logistics but in all aspects related to port-led development, there is immense scope of investment. The Gujarat government is giving special focus to the fisheries sector. There is a strong ecosystem for investors in seafood processing," he said.
PM Modi said, "I have been saying this for a long time, if you delay it, don't blame me. In Saurashtra-Kutch, your every investment will contribute to the development of Gujarat and the country. Just now, the High Commissioner of Rwanda was telling that when she went to Rwanda, she had gifted 200 cows there. These 200 cows were our Gir cows. When we give 200 cows for the rural economy there, there is a rule that the first calf will have to be returned to us. We give them to other families. That is, it started with 200 cows. These cows have reached thousands of families. It is giving a lot of strength to Rwanda's rural economy."
PM Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions on Sunday.
The event featured Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, among other dignitaries.
The two-day conference summit will highlight Gujarat's leadership in the clean energy sector and its alignment with India's 'Panchamrit' commitments announced by the Prime Minister. These include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable sources, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030, and attaining net-zero emissions by 2070.
As part of the VGRC, the Energy and Petrochemicals Department (EPD) will lead a series of high-level discussions, seminars, and panel sessions focused on Gujarat's renewable energy roadmap. Under the Mission 100 GW (Shapath Patra), the state has committed to achieving more than 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in India's energy transition.
The first day of the conference will feature a CEO Roundtable on 'Ocean of Opportunities - Blue Energy, Green Future', which will explore nearshore wind and blue energy prospects. Other key sessions include a Green Startups Fireside Chat, 'Carbon to Crops: Greener Molecules, Greater Yields', and discussions on Gujarat's role as India's energy gateway in oil and gas. An exhibition-cum-trade show will also showcase best practices in daytime power for agriculture, renewable energy connectivity, and achievements under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Day two will begin with the flagship programme 'Solar Dividends: Empowerment through PM-KUSUM & PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana', highlighting Gujarat's success in decentralised solar adoption. The day will also see the release of a compendium of best practices by GUVNL and its subsidiaries, the signing of memoranda of understanding, and the felicitation of beneficiaries, vendors, and employees for their contributions to the power sector.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Somnath Swabhiman Mahotsav Parv.