Accelerating progress: Gujarat's journey to enhance ease of doing business

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 7 : In recent years, Gujarat has blossomed into a vibrant hub of progress, weaving together innovation in infrastructure, business, agriculture, renewable energy, and education.
The state's extensive network of roads, modern airports, advanced railway stations, and thriving industrial hubs are not just symbols of advancement but testaments to its dynamic evolution.
This transformation began in 2001 when Narendra Modi became Chief Minister. His visionary leadership launched the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2003, a groundbreaking initiative that sparked an industrial renaissance. The summit attracted both domestic and international investment, enhancing the Ease of Doing Business in the state by streamlining regulations and dismantling barriers to entrepreneurship.

During the Vibrant Gujarat Summit earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In the past 20 years, this summit has provided a platform for new ideas. It has created new gateways for investments and returns."
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, echoed this sentiment, stating, "When foreigners think of a new India, they think of a new Gujarat. How did this transformation happen? Because of one leader who has emerged as the greatest global leader of our times, Shri Narendra Bhai Modi, the most successful Prime Minister in India's history."
As a result, Gujarat has experienced a surge in employment opportunities and fostered a thriving ecosystem for various industries.
In 2008, Tata selected Gujarat for its Nano plant, benefiting from the state's business-friendly environment. Following Tata Motors' investment in Sanand, several other automobile manufacturers, including Suzuki Motor Gujarat, Ford India, MG Motor India, Hero MotoCorp, and Honda Motorcycle, also established plants in the state.
This remarkable journey has positioned Gujarat as a beacon of development and innovation. Industry leaders have hailed Gujarat's pro-business approach, facilitated by its visionary leadership and policy reforms.
Shailesh Patwari, Former Director of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, told ANI, "The ease of doing business, which was previously ranked above 170, has improved and now falls under 70."
Gujarat consistently ranks among the top states and union territories for Ease of Doing Business. The Gujarat Single Window Clearance Act of 2017 was a key step, expediting processes for the issuance of various licenses, clearances, and certificates required for setting up businesses, and providing an investor-friendly environment.
In the financial year 2023-24, the state attracted a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of USD 7.3 billion--a 55% jump over the previous fiscal year. This influx has greatly benefited local businesses such as Karnavati Hydraulic in Ahmedabad, which manufactures hydraulic cylinders for various industries.
Established in 1990, owner Kirti Patel faced numerous challenges initially, but after Narendra Modi became Chief Minister in 2001, his pro-business policies transformed the landscape, allowing Patel's company to thrive.
Kirti Patel said, "Since Modi came to power, all the problems have been solved. You just have to go to one place to get all the work done. Since the implementation of GST, it has become even better, and now we can conduct business smoothly. Earlier, we faced many difficulties, but now all the issues have been resolved, and everyone enjoys doing business."

Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, Gujarat's development has accelerated significantly. With central government support, the state has expanded the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, and PM Modi has launched various schemes to boost investment while fully cooperating with the state government.
This "double-engine" government has further propelled Gujarat's progress.

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, the state has achieved remarkable milestones in business and other sectors. Significant investments in infrastructure, logistics, and new technologies are paving the way for Gujarat to reach even greater heights in the future.