Saurashtra to Emerge as India's Largest Manufacturing Export Hub

The Saurashtra region is set to be developed as India’s largest multi-sector manufacturing and export zone, according to the Saurashtra Economic Regional Master Plan (SaER) unveiled at the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Rajkot.

The main session on SaER was attended by over 80 participants, including senior government officials, industry leaders, developers, policymakers, and representatives from the manufacturing and export sectors.

The conference outlined the Gujarat government’s strategy to create large-scale manufacturing and export hubs aligned with the vision of Developed Gujarat@2047 and India’s broader ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Ports and Transport, stated that the SaER master plan was prepared by the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT).

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Currently, Saurashtra’s GDP stands at Rs 3.8 lakh crore in FY 2023-24 and is projected to grow nearly 15 times to Rs 57.6 lakh crore by 2046-47, with manufacturing expected to be the key growth driver. Four priority sectors have been identified for focused development: non-metallic minerals (ceramics), food processing, engineering goods, and tourism.

To accelerate production-led growth, seven large-scale projects have been proposed under SaER. These include developing Saurashtra as a multi-sector export manufacturing hub, establishing a defence innovation and manufacturing cluster, setting up a mega food park and agro cluster in Rajkot, creating India’s largest eco-industrial park, building the country’s largest auto parts hub for OEMs, and forming a knowledge cluster for engineering and technology sectors.

The CEO and Chairperson of GRIT emphasized that MSMEs in the region must move beyond traditional business models and adopt scale-driven operations, guided by principles of global competitiveness and self-reliance. Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, termed the SaER master plan a “game-changer,” highlighting the Rs 25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission aimed at strengthening MSMEs and new exporters, and urging Saurashtra to evolve into a complete system and solution provider.