File photo of PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 7th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS), a flagship programme of the Gujarat government, in Gandhinagar today. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry will also be attending the programme .
This year's three-day event is touted to be the biggest ever, with a host of high-profile business as well as political leaders attending it.
Apart from Ban Ki-Moon and John Kerry, several ministers from Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada and over 50 CEOs of top Indian as well as international companies will participate in the summit that will conclude on January 13.
Eight countries, including the US, Canada and Japan have for the first time become partner nations for the summit.
The business event is expected to bring in record investments to Gujarat and the state government expects to sign over 20,000 Expression of Interest (EoI) or MoUs during the summit.
Ban Ki-Moon will inaugurate Gujarat's first 10 MW solar power plant on Narmada river canal.
The summit will have various country-wise seminars for the promotion of business ties with different nations, as well as sector-wise seminars. It will also facilitate business to business meetings.
The biennial event had been launched by Mr Modi in 2003 during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, to attract investments into the state.