Organisers of Vibrant Gujarat Thursday declared their recent visit to promote the biennial investment summit to Washington as successful citing huge excitement which was aroused among business, industry and government officials.

According to the oragnisers, the high-powered delegation included government officials and business and industry leaders from Gujarat who attended a series of events and showcased the development and potential of the state to attract investments.

“With new government at the centre led by Narendra Modi, people in business, economy, industry, government as well as non-resident Indians (NRIs) are excited about India,” a statement issued by the organisers said.

The statement added that even the officials from the US department of commerce assured the organisers of its participation.

Gujarat which has set a precedence and developed a model of inclusive growth is being studied and emulated around the world. It has emerged as a hub for manufacturing, knowledge sharing, auto components, pharmaceuticals, financial services, power and now aims to be the defence manufacturing hub of India.

In terms of promoting it as the defence manufacturing hub of India, the event organisers held one-on-one meetings with industries like ATK Defense Group, Textron Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Guardian Industries.

“In the meeting, they (US companies) showed their willingness to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015 in Defence Centric seminars, US specific seminars and also to showcase their products in the exhibition area,” the statement added.

Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had called upon India Inc to participate in the biennial investment summit ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ 2015, which is being partnered by seven countries.

“The seventh ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ summit has attracted the partnership of seven countries and a few states in India and I hope that it will lead India to shine across the seven seas,” said the chief minister while addressing the curtain-raiser event here for the investment summit to be held next year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the three-day event, Patel said.

According to the organiser of the event, the partner countries in the seventh edition will include Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore and South Africa.

The seventh edition of the bi-annual investment summit ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ will be held Jan 11-13, 2015 at Gandhinagar.

The event is being hosted at the Mahatma Mandir in the state capital at India’s largest exhibition area of around 125,000 square metres with an expected participation from over 2,000 companies, two million-plus visitors and over 2,500 international delegates.