MSMEs, infra Gujarat's strengths: Patel

CM Anandiben Patel said on Sunday Gujarat's growth story reveals that MSMEs and robust infrastructure are the state's strengths, Knowledge and News Network

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said on Sunday Gujarat’s growth story reveals that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and robust infrastructure are the state’s strengths, Knowledge and News Network (KNN) --  a media platform for MSMEs -- has reported. In her address at the inaugural of Vibrant Gujarat 2015 at Gandhinagar on Sunday, the minister said the state is gearing up to progress in the areas of road, port, power, defence and electronic goods.

Stating that Gujarat is the petroleum hub of the country, Patel said it is moving ahead to prepare itself to become an education and health care hub.

She said that agriculture, food processing, cottage and dairy industry are the top priorities of the state government to empower the rural masses. Patel also said that skill-development is the top agenda in Gujarat's growth journey.

Delegates and dignitaries from 120 countries and 8 partner countries participated in the seventh edition of the global summit.

Gujarat has a total of 106 government-identified product clusters across the districts. Out of the total number of working enterprises, 56.13 per cent are located in the clusters, with an employment contribution of 48.92 per cent of the state’s total MSME employment.

The state government has also adopted initiatives for strengthening clusters through interventions such as technology upgradation, quality improvement, setting up of common facility centres, skill development facilities, active assistance for R&D institutions and industry associations.