Surat: The two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) for South Gujarat will be inaugurated on Friday at Auro University, bringing together MSMEs and global companies on a 12,000sq m platform to showcase the region’s industrial strength and boost business networking.The exhibition will be open to business visitors initially, with entry for the general public from Sunday for three days. Alongside business activities, it will feature cultural programmes, live demonstrations and daily lucky draws.Key sectors on display include textiles and garments through a Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM), chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and agro products, and engineering. After successful editions in Mehsana and Rajkot, the Surat edition aims to strengthen South Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem through seminars, B2B and B2G meetings, and new opportunities for MSMEs.The conference will host seminars, panel discussions and round-table sessions on emerging sectors. Day one will focus on agriculture, textiles, chemicals, start-ups, nuclear energy, fertilisers and natural gas, along with sessions on women empowerment by Japan and Ukraine. Day two will feature an MSME conclave covering gems and jewellery, circular economy, skill development, aerospace and defence, fisheries, green energy and urban economic development.A special RBSM in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations will see participation from over 45 foreign buyers from more than 15 countries, including the UK, Australia, Romania and the UAE.A Mango Festival from May 1 to 5 will run alongside the event, with 40–50 farmers from South Gujarat selling carbide-free mangoes and showcasing Indian and international varieties. A horticulture seminar is also scheduled on May 1.Meanwhile, the state’s Industries and MSME department organized a “Single Click Payment Program” on Thursday, with deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi overseeing the transfer of Rs 1,349.50 crore to 11,029 beneficiaries via e-payment. Under MSME schemes, Rs 299.75 crore was disbursed to 7,495 beneficiaries, Rs 538.76 crore to 3,423 beneficiaries in the textile sector, and Rs 510.99 crore to 111 large industry beneficiaries.
