NAGPUR, Feb 8: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that Vidarbha has earned substantial international recognition through this year’s Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav, which witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 42,000 crore over three days and participation from ambassadors of 23 countries along with global industry representatives.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the third edition of the industrial festival, organized by the Association for Industrial Development (AID) at the RTMNU campus in Nagpur, Gadkari highlighted the magnitude of the event.
He noted that it included 25 technical sessions, the involvement of 250 mentors, participation of over 5,500 delegates, representation from several countries, and 52 business-to-business meetings.
He further announced that a full-time AID office would be inaugurated in May this year to facilitate year-round activities under the Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav initiative.
Advising AID to move ahead with a focussed strategy, Gadkari suggested identifying and developing 25 key industrial sectors in Vidarbha.
The union Minister also shared key infrastructure updates, stating that 135 new e-buses equipped with flash-charging technology would be introduced soon to improve passenger convenience.
Additionally, he said Nagpur would receive piped gas supply within the next three years.
Earlier, union Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje praised AID, saying that under Gadkari’s leadership, the organization has played a transformative role in strengthening Vidarbha’s industrial ecosystem.
She expressed satisfaction over the participation of 100 MSME stalls at the exhibition.
Karandlaje informed that more than 33 crore entrepreneurs nationwide have registered on the MSME portal and noted that MSMEs account for 45 per cent of India’s total exports.
She said her ministry is emphasizing skill development to help people adapt to emerging technologies and added that the union Budget 2026 has introduced simplified subsidy mechanisms.
Pointing to marketing as a major challenge for MSMEs, she emphasized the need for better branding and urged manufacturers to focus on producing export-quality goods.
Thanking the people of Vidarbha for the overwhelming success of the event, AID President Ashish Kale said that MoUs worth Rs 42,000 crore were signed during the three-day festival, while innovative ideas from 22 students received funding totaling Rs 5.5 crore.
He assured that next year’s edition would be organized on an even grander scale.
The vote of thanks was delivered by AID Secretary Dr. Vijay Sharma.
(UNI)
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