Gujarat trade talks: Bhupendra Patel meets Ukraine envoy at Vibrant Gujarat conference

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, on Monday. Bhupendra Patel invited Ukrainian industries to work with Gujarat as a trusted Indian partner. The meeting happened alongside the 4th Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the two-day conference.

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The VGRC is the fourth event in a series held before the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027. On the conference’s opening day, Bhupendra Patel also met Ireland’s Consul General in Mumbai, Patrick Duffy. Bhupendra Patel met the Trade Representation of Russian Federation in India too. The Russian side was represented by Zlata Antusheva.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference talks with Ukraine

In the meeting with Oleksandr Polishchuk, Bhupendra Patel discussed possible strategic partnerships with Ukraine. The talks covered pharmaceuticals, agriculture, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. Bhupendra Patel also thanked Ukraine for joining all four VGRC editions so far. An official note said the two held a one-to-one meeting.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference focus on Ireland partnership

Bhupendra Patel and Patrick Duffy held a one-to-one meeting as well. The discussion focused on improving economic ties between Gujarat and Ireland. Bhupendra Patel referred to opportunities expected from the upcoming India-European Union India-EU Free Trade Agreement FTA. Bhupendra Patel asked Irish firms and investors to look at Gujarat’s trade and investment options.

Bhupendra Patel and Patrick Duffy also discussed deeper cooperation in specific areas. The areas included skill development, technology, and sports. Patrick Duffy said Patrick Duffy was keen to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027. Patrick Duffy also shared interest in holding a country seminar. The seminar would explore areas for mutual collaboration.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference engagement with Russian Federation

Bhupendra Patel met a delegation from the Trade Representation of Russian Federation in India. The sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in transportation and smart city development. Talks also covered payment systems, Indian MSMEs, and rupee-based financial transactions. The discussions included Russian firms Archem specialty chemicals and EuroChem fertilizers, the note said.

Bhupendra Patel later spoke at a seminar on sports goods manufacturing in Chhota Udepur. The seminar title was Sports Goods Manufacturing Hub in Chhota Udepur: From Traditional Skills to Industrial Development. Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat has prepared a strong roadmap for Viksit Gujarat. Bhupendra Patel linked it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.

Bhupendra Patel referred to the Vibrant Gujarat initiative that began in 2003. Bhupendra Patel said the platform has grown into a globally recognised investment summit. Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat has achieved a 70 per cent-90 per cent implementation rate. This rate applied to Memorandums of Understanding MoUs signed during Vibrant Gujarat events.

At the same event, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya spoke about the sector. Mansukh Mandaviya said sports goods manufacturing would become a key pillar of India’s growing economy. Mansukh Mandaviya said it would help turn India into a global sporting powerhouse. The statement came during the seminar linked to the VGRC programme.

For these regional conferences, Gujarat has been divided into six major economic regions. The regions are Kutch, Saurashtra, Coastal Saurashtra, North Gujarat, Central Gujarat and Surat. The plan aims to support balanced economic development across the state. The regional structure also guides how VGRC meetings and sector discussions are organised.

With inputs from PTI