Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed the inaugural session of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Annual Trade Expo 2025 via video conferencing on Thursday, praising Gujarat’s emergence as a national and global economic powerhouse. The event, held in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, marked a significant milestone in GCCI’s 75-year journey. In his keynote address, Shri Shah lauded the GCCI’s pivotal contribution to Gujarat’s industrial ascent, describing the Chamber as a key catalyst for entrepreneurial spirit and economic resilience. “For 75 years, the GCCI has preserved its legacy of entrepreneurship, stood with citizens during crises, and maintained a robust dialogue with the government,” he observed. Looking ahead, he urged the Chamber’s leadership to chart a strategic roadmap towards its centenary, aligning its goals with Gujarat’s broader developmental ambitions. “It is time to institutionalise a professional mechanism within the Chamber—one that supports industries, entrepreneurs, and aspiring youth. Such a model would ensure GCCI’s relevance for the next 25 years,” Shri Shah remarked. He emphasised the foundational role of MSMEs in India’s industrial narrative, noting that many of today’s large corporations began as modest ventures. He called on GCCI to blend the legacy of small-scale industries with the innovation of start-ups to foster a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Highlighting Gujarat’s investor-friendly environment, Shri Shah underscored the absence of political interference, a strike-free industrial culture, and robust systems as hallmarks of the state's economic appeal. He credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat for laying the groundwork for this inclusive, dialogue-driven governance model, a legacy continued by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel. “Today, Gujarat stands as a beacon of industrial diversity—from traditional manufacturing to cutting-edge technology, IT, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Its evolution from post-earthquake recovery in 2001 to becoming a hub of global innovation in 2025 is nothing short of exemplary,” said the Home Minister. Shri Shah highlighted Gujarat’s leadership in multiple national initiatives—the world’s largest renewable energy park in Kutch, the Dholera Smart City greenfield project, the Surat-Chennai Expressway, and the iconic GIFT City, India’s first international financial hub. He also referenced the country’s first bullet train and the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail project as further testaments to Gujarat’s visionary planning. Commending the Chamber’s motto, ‘Gujarat’s Vision – Global Ambition’, Shri Shah noted that over 300 innovators and sectoral leaders were participating in the Trade Expo. “Since its inception in 1949, GCCI has played a transformative role, now representing over 2.5 lakh MSMEs across 75 institutions,” he said, applauding the Chamber’s role in bolstering the Vibrant Gujarat initiative and elevating the state’s global profile. Reflecting on India’s progress over the past 11 years, Shri Shah credited Prime Minister Modi’s whole-of-government approach for transforming India into a global leader across multiple domains. He also acknowledged Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s stewardship in sustaining Gujarat’s momentum of growth and governance excellence. “Gujarat is not just participating in shaping the future global economy—it is helping define it,” Shri Shah concluded.