US tariffs will not have a major impact on Gujarat, says CM Patel

September 13, tells Deepak Patel and Archis Mohan in New Delhi about his government's plans to go regional with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, efforts to help the state's industries hit by US tariffs, and the increasing ties with Japan. Edited excerpts:

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What are the objectives of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences (VGRC)? How are you dealing with the challenge of getting investment for underdeveloped districts, such as the predominantly tribal districts?

The state government is organising the regional conferences under the auspices of the Gujarat Global Summit, which was first launched in 2003 by Narendra Modi when he was Gujarat CM. It has now evolved into one of our most important economic forums. The regional conferences in Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara will provide a focused platform to connect local strengths with global opportunities, unlocking the untapped potential of Tier-II and -III cities. To empower tribal communities, the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is planning to establish tribal industrial parks at six locations—in Banaskantha, Dahod, Chhotaudepur, Narmada, Tapi, and Bharuch districts. We hope to change the point of view of the local people, especially their resistance to land acquisition for development projects. "We will not give it (land), we will not allow it" is the refrain. But when they see development happening at district level, they understand that joining the process is the only way forward, and it is through this participation that their own development will also take place. We are preparing 'District Regional Economic Development Plans and Regional Economic Masterplans'. The NITI Aayog has supported us in this. For example, in the Surat Economic Region, six districts were included and a masterplan was prepared.

Gujarat has attracted significant foreign and domestic investment in recent years. But of late, a few big investors have opted to invest in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. What is the Gujarat government doing to attract investment, especially into the manufacturing sector?