Rajkumar Beniwal IAS in the government of Gujarat has announced that the Gujarat Maritime Board, under the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, will be hosting an informative and interactive seminar on “Port-Led City Development in Gujarat: A Vision for the Future.”
In the run-up to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024, Gujarat Maritime Board has signed more than 140 Investment Intention Forms (IIFs) and about 50 Strategic Partnership MoUs, with a cumulative proposed investment of INR 1.5 lakh crore and 90,000 employment opportunities.
Sharing details with the media, Beniwal said that the event is scheduled to take place on 11 January 2024, at Seminar Hall 1, Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Beniwal, shedding light on the objectives of the seminar, stated, “The gathering is envisioned as a dynamic forum for the convergence of thought leaders, facilitating discussions among government officials, industry leaders, international investors, and maritime authorities.” The focus of the seminar is to explore, discuss, and promote the transformative potential of port-led development in the urban system.
The seminar aims to enhance understanding of the port-led city development concept, emphasising its potential for economic growth and urban transformation. It will explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, investments, and collaborations to expedite port-led city development. Additionally, the event will highlight the role of technology and innovation in smart infrastructure, logistics, and sustainability for port-led cities.
The inaugural session will feature key speakers, including Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Sabarnanda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India; Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium to India; and Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The first panel discussion will focus on various aspects of economic growth through ports, exploring topics such as global trends in port-led development, innovative business models in port management, technology and digitalization in port operations, environmental sustainability, and case studies of successful port-led economic zones.
Distinguished speakers for this panel include Jonathan Goldner, Chief Executive – Asia and Middle East at APM Terminals; Mohamed Eidha AlMenhali, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD for India Subcontinent & Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World; Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director of JM Baxi Group; and Subrat Tripathy, CEO (Ports) at APSEZ.
The second panel will offer a visionary perspective on the integration of ports with urban and industrial development. Topics of discussion include infrastructure development for port cities, the role of ports in urban planning and smart city integration, resilience and risk management in port cities, cultural and social impact of port development, and international investment opportunities and challenges.
Speakers for this panel include Bart de Jong, Consul General of the Netherlands in Mumbai; Auguste Tano Kouamé, Country Director at the World Bank; SK Mehta, IFS, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Gandhidham; Manoranjan Kumar, Chief of Port Operations & Development at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, India; and Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman of Allcargo Logistics.
Beniwal concluded by extending a warm invitation to stakeholders, industry leaders, academicians, maritime students, and policymakers to join the seminar for an insightful and engaging discussion on the transformative aspects of Port-Led City Development.
