SGCCI set to launch Surat Economic Forum (SEF)

Surat : The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) is gearing up to introduce the Surat Economic Forum (SEF) as a significant component of the SGCCI Global Connect Mission 84. This strategic move aims to cultivate an enabling environment and ecosystem for trade and commerce throughout the entire South Gujarat region.

A Vision for Economic Growth

A pre-launch meeting of SEF was convened at SGCCI, where Ramesh Vaghasia, President of SGCCI, provided an insightful overview of the SGCCI Global Connect Mission 84 project. Hemant Desai, Advisor of the Chamber’s Capital and Commodity Market Committee, shed light on the Surat Economic Forum. He underscored that SEF’s primary objective is to establish a conducive environment that fosters an ecosystem for the greater South Gujarat, with Surat at its heart.

This initiative is promoted as a specialized endeavor under the SGCCI Global Connect Mission 84 project. The project’s central goal is to drive rapid economic development, benefitting every citizen, not only in Surat but throughout the entire country.

Think Global, Act Local

The Surat Economic Forum draws inspiration from the World Economic Forum and is poised to become a robust platform for gathering global knowledge, information, analysis, and research. The intention is to harness this wealth of insights for the betterment of the local economy. Following the strategy of ‘Think Global, Act Local,’ the forum will serve as a think tank, uniting industrialists, entrepreneurs, professionals, economists, academicians, government officials, and other stakeholders on a single platform.

The forum is designed to bring together the business and industry sectors, chambers of commerce, and government entities, uniting these vital players in the pursuit of Surat’s economic development. It aspires to make a substantial contribution to the GDP growth of the entire nation, including Gujarat.

Charting the Path Forward

Chartered Accountant Siddharth Mandlewala shared a compelling perspective during the meeting. Currently, Surat’s economy stands at 59 billion US dollars. With a consistent 20 percent growth rate, the city is poised to reach an impressive 210 billion US dollars by 2030. Mandlewala emphasized the need for a simplified business ecosystem that enables small enterprises to thrive. Furthermore, he called for active encouragement and support for entrepreneurs in rural areas.

To facilitate these ambitions, he recommended the development of an entrepreneurship program under SGCCI Education and Skill Development Surat, administered by the Chamber of Commerce. This program would play a pivotal role in equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the business world.