Ahmedabad : The second edition of the CII Gujarat Export Conclave concluded on a high note, bringing together over 100 industry leaders, international diplomats, and government officials to position Gujarat as India’s premier export gateway. The conclave, themed “Our Gateway to Global Success,” focused on empowering MSMEs with strategies to navigate rapidly evolving global trade dynamics.

India’s export growth in focus
Setting the tone, Sunil Dave, Convenor of the CII Gujarat Panel on International Trade and MD of BC Instruments India Pvt Ltd, underscored India’s record-breaking export performance. “India’s total exports reached $824.9 billion in FY25, up 6.01% year-on-year. The services sector alone contributed $387.5 billion, registering a robust 13.6% growth,” he noted.

Achal Bakeri, Vice-Chairman of CII Gujarat State Council, urged businesses to leverage Gujarat’s global diaspora and cultural heritage as soft power assets. He called for reforms to shift from “Ease of Doing Business” to “Ease of Exporting 2.0.”

Ports as Gujarat’s backbone
Highlighting the state’s maritime strength, Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Deputy Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority, said Gujarat’s ports handle over 40% of India’s cargo traffic. “By leveraging advanced port infrastructure and seamless connectivity, we can transform Gujarat into India’s premier export gateway,” he said, adding that efficient logistics will be key to meeting ambitious export targets.

MSME roadmap and global partnerships
A strategic panel discussion led by industry experts provided MSMEs with actionable strategies on credit security, legal compliance, and skill development. Panelists included representatives from Adani Ports & SEZ, ECGC, Senores Pharmaceuticals, Economic Laws Practice, FFFAI, and EDII.

The Global Partners’ Forum saw active participation from international diplomats, including representatives from Australia, Belgium, and the UK, who explored opportunities in innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable trade.

Building bridges to global success
Reflecting on the conclave’s achievements, Sunil Dave remarked, “Today, we have not just discussed the roadmap; we have collectively started building it. We are not just opening gateways to global success—we are building bridges to a brighter, more connected world.”

The conclave showcased strong public-private partnership, reaffirming Gujarat’s role at the heart of India’s export-driven growth story.