Surat : CII hosts B20 meet with the aim of driving sustainable growth. The Confederation of Indian Industry successfully hosted the B20 Surat Meet on July 1, 2023. Against the backdrop of its role as the B20 India 2023 Secretariat, CII organized the B20 Surat Meet with an objective to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation among global business leaders and policy makers of the G20 countries. The B20 Surat Meet served as a pivotal platform for collaborative discussions and the formulation of strategies that would shape the global economic landscape. With the aim of driving sustainable growth and fostering innovation, participants engaged in insightful deliberations to address the economic development, leverage emerging opportunities, and pave the way for a prosperous future. The B20 Surat Meet commenced with the Inaugural Session setting the tone for the subsequent deliberations on the identified priorities for global businesses. The Chief Guest for the Inaugural Ceremony, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Ayush, Government of India highlighted the importance of India’s G20 Presidency and the B20 Meetings and said. “As the official business dialogue platform of the G20, India’s B20 is galvanizing the views and aspirations of the global business community, with the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.Highlighting India’s journey to become globally competitive, minister Sonowal said “In the past decade, India’s remarkable journey unfolds through its enterprise, entrepreneurship, and ambition—a tale of an aspirational and self-reliant Bharat. In just ten years, India has ascended to the world’s 5th largest economy, ranking 3rd in smartphones and 6th in cars. It stands as the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables, 1st in dairy production, and home to the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem. India has not only emerged as a thriving consumer market but also as a sought-after investment hub.
The Minister acknowledged the efforts of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in organizing the B20 Summit, fostering dialogue, and providing a pathway for delegates to connect and form policy frameworks. He also highlighting the valuable role played by the CII in creating an enabling environment that accelerates business growth and promotes meaningful exchanges among participants. The Guest of honor, Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State – Home, Industries, Transport, Youth, Sports (I/C), Government of Gujarat, warmly welcomed all delegates to Gujarat in his address. He emphasized the successful development of corridors in Gujarat that have yielded positive outcomes and attracted significant investments. Sanghavi expressed his gratitude to the industries for their valuable contributions in placing Gujarat on the global map. Furthermore, he highlighted the government’s commitment to sectoral policies and acknowledged the inputs provided by industry bodies like CII. The sectors of textiles, sports equipment, and sports apparel is of an utmost importance and shall be given due importance by the Government.
As we gather here today, our shared purpose is to explore and unleash the vast potential of the Global Value Chain and foster Financial Inclusion. We have chosen Surat as an exemplary model under the B20 umbrella to showcase the transformative power of these initiatives. By tapping into the Global Value Chain, we can create an interconnected network of collaboration and cooperation among nations, enabling the seamless flow of goods, services, and expertise. By focusing on accessible financial services, digital infrastructure, financial literacy, public-private partnerships, and supportive regulations, the B20 can drive the creation of inclusive and equitable financial ecosystems.
Darshan Shah, Chairman – CII Gujarat State Council
The chemical sector is poised for a promising future. India is the sixth-largest chemical-producing country in the world and the third-largest producer in Asia. The Indian government’s focus on ease of doing business, infrastructure development, and policy reforms has created an enabling environment for industry. The chemical industry of India is a major industry in the Indian economy and as of 2022, contributes 7% of the country’s GDP. India ranks 14th in the global exports of chemicals with a 2.5% contribution to global chemical sales. The chemical sector holds immense importance for India and the global economy. As leaders in this industry, we have a responsibility to harness its potential for sustainable growth, innovation, and social development.
Anand Desai, Immediate past chairman – CII Gujarat Council
The B20 platform serves as a conduit for fostering dialogue, building relationships, and leveraging the collective expertise of various stakeholders. By nurturing these partnerships, we can create a sustainable and inclusive environment that propels our economies towards greater heights.
Kulin Lalbhai, Vice-Chairman – Gujarat State COuncil
The B20 Surat Meet featured two significant plenary sessions, each focusing on key aspects of global business and economic development. The first plenary session, titled ‘Opportunities for Trade and Investments in Diamond, Textile and Chemical Industries for Global Value Chain,’ explored the immense potential and opportunities within these industries to drive innovation, foster sustainability, and enhance competitiveness. The panel discussion on Global Value Chain brought attention to the importance of sustainability and the widespread adoption of sustainable practices. To further promote a culture of sustainability among MSMEs, it was emphasized that additional initiatives such as PM Mitra Park and Industrial Cluster should be introduced. These initiatives would serve as operational expenditure (opex) drivers, making it easier for MSMEs to embrace sustainable practices rather than incurring heavy capital expenditure (capex).
