In fact, there is an interesting trend this time. Traditionally, Vibrant Gujarat has attracted global CEOs and company representatives who wanted to invest in the state. However, this time the heads of state of three small countries, Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala have come all the way to Gujarat to attract Indian companies to invest in their countries.

That is the change that Vibrant Gujarat has done for the state: from seeking investments to becoming a state that invests in other countries.

Not surprisingly, eminent industrialists from the country, including the state of Gujarat, will be present. They include Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries; Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group; N Chandrasekaran from Tata Sons; Dilip Sanghvi, Founder and MD of Sun Pharma; Laxmi Mittal, Executive Chairman of ArcelorMittal; and Balkrishan Goenka, Co-founder of Welspun Group.

All these were capped with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting a roadshow from the airport to Indira Circle with UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The summit has garnered registrations from 1.07 lakh participants from 136 countries worldwide. The theme of this summit, to be held from January 10-12, is 'Gateway to the Future.'

“Landed in Ahmedabad a short while ago. Over the next two days, will be taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and related programmes. It is a matter of immense joy that various world leaders will be joining us during this Summit. The coming of my brother, HH Mohamed Bin Zayed is very special. I have a very close association with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and I am glad to see how this platform has contributed to Gujarat’s growth and created opportunities for several people," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Partly due to the Vibrant Gujarat Summits over the past 20 years, Gujarat's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reached an impressive 21.61 lakh crore. This marks an 8.3 per cent contribution to the country's GDP and an 18 per cent contribution to industrial production.

Furthermore, the state has a substantial 33 per cent share in the country’s overall exports. Gujarat has become a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting US$ 55 billion in the last two decades, with Rs 37,059 crore or US$ 4.9 billion in FDI for 2022-23 alone.

Gujarat’s auto, auto components, textiles and diamond processing sectors are among the leading sectors in the country and the world. Gujarat's auto exports contributed significantly, reaching Rs 12 lakh crore in the financial year 2022-23, constituting 33 per cent of India's total exports.

More than 1,000 researchers from over 20 countries in the field of research participated in the Global Trade Show. They include visitors from 100 countries and partner countries from 33 nations.

The Global Trade Show showcased information about the industrial sectors of their respective countries, with participation from Australia, Tanzania, Morocco, Mozambique, South Korea, Thailand, Bangladesh, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Germany, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Russia, Rwanda, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among 20 other countries.

Dutch companies (from the Netherlands) are set to invest a total of 3.4 billion euros in India, including Gujarat, by 2030. Under the leadership of the new Dutch Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Marisa Gerards, a delegation of 158 delegates from 45 prominent companies, along with five CEOs, will participate in the Vibrant Summit.