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Gujarat, India's one of the leading industrial states is a manufacturing powerhouse with world-class production capabilities in textiles, petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals and agro-based products. Situated on the western tip of India, Gujarat has the longest coastline in the country. The state in totality has 48 ports, out of which 42 are functional. India's first specialized chemical handling port is located at Dahej in the Bharuch district.
The state has a vast network of road, rail and air networks. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal project has been recently commissioned in Dahej to augment capabilities in the power sector and benefit industry. The state also has India's largest hydro project, the Sardar Sarovar project.
Gujarat is rich in bio-resources and has a forest cover of 1.88 billion hectares. It has also a good reserve of mineral resources especially limestone, lignite and bauxite. It has 10.7 million hectares of highly diversified cropping area and is a leading producer of horticultural crops.
Jamnagar in Gujarat is home to the world's largest industrial estate and grassroots refinery. Kandla has Asia's first and India's largest multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The chemical industry in Gujarat accounts for half of the annual investment in the state and contributes to more than 20 per cent of India's chemical output.
Essar and Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd are among its chemical manufacturers. Gujarat also accounts for 40 per cent of India's pharmaceutical production with major players like Cadila, Sun Pharma, Alembic, Torrent and Sarabhai being present in the state.
Till recently, half of the diamonds polished in Surat, Gujarat were sold in in the American markets. The gems and jewellery industry in Gujarat accounts for over 80 percent of India's total diamond exports. Its state cooperative federations have brought lot of progress to rural Gujarat. Amul, a brand owned by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, enjoys a significant market share in India's processed food sector.
The state is keen to leverage its natural resource base and entrepreneurial spirit to sustain its leadership position. To attract investment Gujarat has set up single window facilities at the district level. Gujarat's Industrial Promotion Board is also in the process of setting up kiosks at all important places to disseminate information regarding regulations governing new investment.
The state has actively sought private participation to improve existing infrastructure facilities. It was the first in the country to develop port facilities, estates and roads in conjunction with the private sector.
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