GANDHINAGAR — Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday formally unveiled the state's Industrial Policy 2026 at a high-profile ceremony in Gandhinagar, presenting a sweeping framework designed to attract domestic and foreign investment, generate employment, and position Gujarat as a leader in sustainable manufacturing over the next five years.

The policy, months in the making, sets ambitious targets for sectors including renewable energy, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing. Officials from the state's Industries and Mines Department confirmed that the policy introduces a streamlined single-window clearance system and a new tier of incentives for units establishing operations in aspirational districts and tribal belt areas, aiming to reduce regional economic disparity.

Industry bodies including the Confederation of Indian Industry's Gujarat chapter and the Federation of Gujarat Industries welcomed the announcement, with representatives attending the Gandhinagar launch event alongside senior bureaucrats and major corporate stakeholders. Early statements from the chambers praised the inclusion of green energy transition incentives and dedicated support for micro, small, and medium enterprises — segments they said had been underserved by previous policy cycles.

The policy also addresses lifestyle and consumer-facing industries, with dedicated provisions for the food processing, textile, and handicrafts sectors — all of which carry significant employment and cultural weight in the state. Handloom and artisan clusters in Kutch and Surat are expected to benefit from new branding and export facilitation schemes embedded in the framework.

The timing of the launch carries symbolic significance, coming just days after Ahmedabad experienced two industrial fires that underscored safety concerns in the state's manufacturing belt. Officials indicated that the new policy includes mandatory safety compliance benchmarks tied to subsidy eligibility, a measure industry observers said reflects pressure to modernise working conditions alongside economic expansion.