The last Vibrant Gujarat focused on SEZs and port-led development. What's the focus this time around?
The focus will be on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). I want to network SMEs across all areas of Gujarat and help create a better environment for them to perform, to upgrade technology, to market themselves.
There will also be an increased focus on alternate energy sources including solar energy at this summit.
What is your USP to attract investors in a slowdown scenario?
The impact of the US slowdown has certainly affected us and, apart from other issues, we need to ensure ‘dirty money' does not use this opportunity to seep into our economy.
Having said that, a slowdown does not mean that industrialists will down the shutters. They will, in turn, look for cost-effective methods to grow.
If there is a slowdown in diamonds, one can do value addition in gems and jewellery. Cost-effective production is the state's USP. Mass production and production for the masses is my goal.
Image: A man inspects diamonds while grading them at a diamond merchant's workshop in Mumbai. | Photograph: REUTERS/Arko Datta
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