The state received investment proposals worth for Rs. 4,628.35 billion during the event of Vibrant Gujarat: Global Investors’ Summit 2007 and enthused by the response received, the Government has started preparations for Global Investors’ Summit 2009, to be held in January 2009. Apart from major sectors, which attracted investment proposals, the Government has also identified sunrise sectors like biotechnology, and nanotechnology. Apart from this, quite a few ambitious projects like Gujarat International Finance Tech-City and Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor would also be marketed to the potential investors during the next Summit. Preparations in the run up to the event is quite at an advanced stage.

Gujarat will be the first State to privatize all the activities viz. power generation, power distribution and power transmission.  So far, only central transmission utility - Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd had joined hands with private players by forming joint ventures with Torrent Power, Jaypee Power and Tata Power. However, no state utility has involved private players into transmission as yet. Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO) would now invite participation from private players for providing services to establish transmission systems for two projects. It would be the first state utility in the country to invite participation from the private investors to avail transmission services.

With the flow of  investment pouring in, the demand for aviation facilities is growing. While a consortium of a few industrialists made a commitment for investment to the tune of about Rs.100 billion to develop airports across the State, Kutch NRI Association has planned to approach Union Aviation Ministry to press for  interest for an international airport at  Bhuj.  The Civil Aviation authorities have spent Rs 350 million for renovation of Bhuj airport and at present two private airlines operate six flights between Mumbai and Delhi from Bhuj on a daily basis. A US-based NRI company - Blue Phoenix Partners and Ahmedabad based Electrotherm Ltd had already committed investment of Rs. 50 billion each to develop aviation infrastructure in a number of districts and Mehsana airport respectively.

With a view to encouraging the start-up of IT Companies in the State, the State Government jointly   with the   STPI Society formed by the Department of Communication & IT, Govt. of India has worked out plans to establish Software Technology Park of India (STPI) Unit  at  Bhestan near Surat.  The proposed unit is aimed at nurturing the upcoming IT companies

Vtech ITZ, the first IT SEZ of Gujarat begins  their development work at Sanathal village near Ahmedabad, which is planned to be carried out the in three phases. The first phase is expected to be ready for occupancy by March 2009. The SEZ is  expected to create job opportunities for around 20,000 persons when it will become operational by March 2010, as reliably learnt. The SEZ will be built over an area of 26 acres with an estimated investment of Rs.3,500 billion.

Enjoying the distinction of being one of the most industrialized states in the country,   Gujarat is now set to become horticulture hub in India with the influx of latest technology supported by export facilities. The state has successfully   achieved a two-fold increase in the land allotted as well as the production through horticulture. In terms of production and productivity of certain variety of fruits and vegetables, the State is leading the table.

Gujarat witnessed a growth rate of 10.5% for nine years. The land under horticulture cultivation increased to 112.4 million hectares in 2006-07 from 58.9 million hectares in the year 1989-90. In the same way, with an average growth rate of 14.4%, the production of horticulture crops has risen from 59.4 million tonnes in 1998-99 to 120.1 million tonnes in 2006-07.  Gujarat  contributes 21% of chikoo, 20% of onion, 17% of Lemon, 14% of Papaya and 13% of Banana in the total horticulture crop production in India, as per National Horticulture Board statistics of 2005-06.  In terms of productivity, Onion and Potato are the highest in the country whereas banana is second highest followed by Mango, Tomato in the third position and Guava, lemon and papaya at the fourth spot,.   Further, in addition to fruits and vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants are also sown in large quantity, the sources said.

Gujarat is now looking for upgradation of healthcare sector in the state to provide better social life. For the purpose, the state plans to introduce Public Health Act to streamline the health sector and address the entire gamut the health related issue. There would be a system to enforce the quality of health service and provide quality life to people. which will essentially focus on monitoring all healthcare institutions in the State. Right from directives to healthcare institutions to treat medico-legal cases, to streamlining the growth of Clinical Research Organizations (CRO) to bringing non-communicable diseases under its purview, the act promises to reform the health sector. Under the proposed Act, no healthcare provider or establishment shall delay treatment merely on the grounds of receiving police clearance or a police report. It also proposes to provide relief to the people by saying that the healthcare provider shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment, until the person stabilizes, irrespective of his paying capacity, announced Gujarat Health Minister Shri Jay Narayan Vyas. The proposed law says that a healthcare establishment shall not provide a health service for experimental or bio-medical or clinical research purpose, except according to guidelines laid down by the Indian Medical Council for Medical Research. The proposed law provides that every bio-medical and clinical research studies shall be carried out only after prior registration with designated authority.

Three sanctuaries and a national park in Gujarat have been identified as sites for development of eco tourism. For the purpose, low cost and low impact eco tourism facilities will be developed under a Japanese aid project with the involvement of the local communities in Gujarat. Eco tourism will be developed at 91 villages in all of the seven protected areas, including Shoolpaneswar sanctuary, Ratanmahal sanctuary, Jessor sloth bear sanctuary and Vansda national park. The Gujarat Forest Department will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the eco tourism development. The site development includes construction and management of eco-lodge, development of nature trails, construction and management of information centre cum gift shop, audio visual equipment and brochures.