Davos 2026: Gujarat Deputy CM Sanghavi holds investment talks with Welspun, ArcelorMittal, Lulu Mall, Tata Electronics chiefs

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings with global industrial leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, as the state stepped up efforts to attract fresh investments across emerging and traditional sectors. 

Sanghavi said Gujarat is actively exploring new opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), defence manufacturing, textile parks, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and innovative financing models to drive its next phase of industrial growth. 

'Productive interaction'

In a post on social media platform X, Sanghavi said he had a “productive interaction” with Yusuffali M A, Chairman of LuLu Group. The discussions focused on the progress of India’s largest shopping mall, currently under development in Gujarat, which was announced during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. The two sides also explored avenues for deeper collaboration in real estate investments, supported by Gujarat’s expanding economy and rapid urban growth. 

In his X handle, Sanghavi said, "Fruitful discussions with Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics, on India’s semiconductor journey. With the nation’s first semiconductor fab coming up at Dholera, this milestone strongly advances Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s Make in India vision. Together, we are accelerating India’s semiconductor revolution—with Gujarat at its core."

Sanghavi met Elica Kyoseva of NVIDIA to discuss next-generation collaborations spanning quantum innovation and future-ready data centres, as Gujarat seeks to strengthen its position as India’s innovation hub and a launchpad for frontier technologies.

The deputy chief minister also met Roger Britschgi of Linde to advance collaboration aimed at strengthening Gujarat’s semiconductor ambitions as the state emerges as a key semiconductor hub. With Sanand and Dholera at the centre of this push, Linde’s planned investments are expected to support critical gases, materials and industrial infrastructure, helping build a world-class semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat.

The deputy chief minister also met Balkrishan Goenka, Chairman of Welspun Group, and Lakshmi Mittal, Executive Chairman of ArcelorMittal. Sanghavi said the discussions centred on Gujarat’s strengths in scale, execution capabilities and the development of future-ready industrial ecosystems. He highlighted the state's ability to support large, complex industrial projects across sectors. 

Earlier, on Tuesday, Sanghavi met senior leaders from OpenAI and Cognizant to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence and the expansion of digital infrastructure to fuel industrial transformation in Gujarat. In a key meeting with Chris Lehane from OpenAI, the focus was on AI enablement and its potential role in reshaping industries and productivity globally, with Gujarat positioning itself as an early adopter of advanced technologies. 

58 high-level one-on-one meetings

During the five-day WEF meeting from January 19 to 23, Sanghavi is scheduled to participate in 58 high-level one-on-one meetings with leading industrialists, policymakers, and global business leaders. These engagements are aimed at boosting employment generation and accelerating industrial development in the state. 

According to Sanghavi, Gujarat is targeting investments across a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, textiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, chemicals, shipping and logistics, and aerospace. He noted that Gujarat has long demonstrated its manufacturing capabilities “from salt to aircraft” and continues to remain a preferred investment destination for global companies.