Minister Bavaliya on Gujarat-Rajasthan Business Ties

A Gujarat minister has said that Rajasthan's entrepreneurial spirit and Gujarat's innovation system together could create significant opportunities for young people across India.

Kunvarji Bavaliya, Minister of State for Labour, Skill Development and Employment, and Rural Development in Gujarat, shared his views in an e-interview held after a road show in Jaipur on Thursday.

The road show was part of the outreach ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, which will take place at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, from January 10 to 12, 2027. Business leaders from Rajasthan were invited to look at investment prospects in Gujarat.

Bavaliya described the relationship between the two states as long-standing. He cited the shared border, centuries of trade and cultural exchange, and devotion to religious centres such as Nathdwara and Dwarka, which draw devotees from both sides every year.

When asked about the greeting Khamma Ghani, he said it was more than a formal welcome. In his words, it reflected Gujarat's message of friendship to Rajasthan.

He also praised Jaipur as a city that is preserving its heritage while emerging as a hub of trade, technology and innovation.

On business cooperation, Bavaliya said Gujarat's ports and logistics infrastructure could help Rajasthan's manufacturers access global markets. He explained that the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, passing through both states, could connect manufacturing centres, logistics parks and export zones.

He outlined Gujarat's focus on semiconductors, electronics, global capability centres, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing under the Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026. He said six of the 12 approved projects under the India Semiconductor Mission are in Gujarat, which could lead to a wider industrial ecosystem with openings for enterprises from Rajasthan.

He also highlighted Dholera's role as a special investment region for high-technology industries and the Khavda renewable energy park's role in clean energy.

On traditional sectors, he said Jaipur's gem industry complements Surat's diamond processing and lab-grown diamond sector. Rajasthan's strengths in wool, weaving and garments, combined with Gujarat's leadership in fibres and technical textiles, could help reach global buyers.

Renewable energy cooperation, green hydrogen and green ammonia were also highlighted as possible areas of partnership, along with support for Morbi's ceramic industry through Rajasthan's mineral resources.

Bavaliya said investment and skills must go together. He stressed that Gujarat is preparing young people not only for jobs but also for leadership in future industries through skill development, research and industry-academia collaboration.

He said the partnership would focus on generating employment, boosting innovation, strengthening MSMEs and building globally competitive value chains.