Gujarat Leads as States Complete 40,000 Business Reforms in a Decade

State governments have collectively implemented more than 40,000 reforms over the past decade to improve the ease of doing business, with Gujarat emerging as the leading performer, according to Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Speaking at the curtain-raiser event for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, Bhatia attributed India's status as one of the world's fastest-growing economies to the collaborative efforts between the central and state governments. He cited the Business Reform Action Plan as a prime example of this partnership, where states execute reforms within a framework set by the Centre.

The central government has also established frameworks for decriminalisation, and the Cabinet Secretariat's deregulation cell works with state Chief Secretaries on sector-specific plans. While acknowledging Gujarat's leadership, Bhatia noted that further work remains, with the government committed to a path of greater deregulation.

To ensure reforms reach the grassroots, both tiers of government are implementing a district-level business reform action plan. Industrial infrastructure is being expanded through the National Industrial Corridor Development Program, which includes over 20 new industrial townships.

On competitiveness, Bhatia highlighted the central Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes spanning 14 sectors and Gujarat's 22 industrial policies. He stressed that free trade agreements with partners like the EU, UK, EFTA nations, Australia, and Gulf countries create long-term demand and push domestic industry to become cost-competitive.

Bhatia also emphasised the importance of quality, noting that the Quality Council of India is working across four sectors at the cluster level. Government initiatives such as the RDI fund and the fund of funds for startups are fostering deep-tech innovation, with consultations ongoing to manufacture intermediate products and deepen local value chains.

Gujarat Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das outlined the state's ambition to build a USD 3.5 trillion economy. He reported that Gujarat's GDP has grown at 10-11 per cent in recent years, excluding the pandemic period, with the current year showing stronger momentum. Das noted strong credit flow, with banks achieving six-month targets in four months, alongside robust GST collections and rising power demand, but stressed the need for accelerated growth to meet the state's target.