Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday said GST reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would accelerate India’s vision of Viksit Bharat and strengthen its position as a global manufacturing hub.
Addressing a video conference with around 225 industry associations and over 3,500 businessmen, Patel discussed the state’s push for GST reforms and the ‘Vocal for Local – Swadeshi’ campaign.
“The reduction of GST slabs and promotion of indigenous products could create a savings festival for consumers,” he said. He urged businesses to boost local production so goods made by Indian artisans and youth reach the market, supporting the Prime Minister’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative and India’s self-reliance goals.
Highlighting industrial progress, he noted mobile phone exports rose from $0.2 billion in 2014-15 to $15.6 billion in 2023-24, while engineering goods exports reached $109.32 billion in 2023-24. Emerging sectors, including semiconductors, are also advancing towards self-reliance.
State’s Industry Minister Balvantsinh Rajput said the simplification of GST had increased revenue to ₹22.8 lakh crore and would boost GDP growth and sales of indigenous products.
Representatives from ASSOCHAM, Torrent Power, and Zydus Group praised the reforms and said tax benefits for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and medical technology would enhance ease of doing business.
The video conference was also attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, Principal Advisor Hasmukh Adhia, and Industries Commissioner P Swaroop.
