Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has stated that Gujarat has become an opportunity hub for stakeholders in the space sector, both nationally and globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has designated Ahmedabad as the headquarters for the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). This organization operates as a single-window, independent, and autonomous nodal agency, significantly boosting the private space sector economy.
Addressing the International Space Conference during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel mentioned the signing of an MoU between the state government and IN-SPACe to establish a space manufacturing cluster in Sanand. Additionally, a Technical Support and Incubation Center will be operationalized at IN-SPACe’s headquarters in Bhopal. The Institute will offer incentives and technical guidance to facilitate the establishment of various manufacturing industries aligned with space technology.
He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided the country with a policy of ‘Space for Humankind’ rather than a race of ‘Humans in Space.’ Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India is progressing to secure its leading position in the space sector with ISRO being a crucial and largest contributor to India’s space endeavors.
During this occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan and Aditya L-1 missions, along with upcoming missions like Gaganyaan and the Indian Space Station, referred to as “Bhartiya Antariksha Station.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that owing to ISRO’s operations, space-related MSMEs have functioned as supply chain partners. Given the growth in the space sector, it has become imperative to enhance the participation of private players, fostering the development of dedicated industries and startups.
He added that in 2020, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, made a historic decision to open the space sector for private sector players in India. As a result, India has now joined the ranks of other countries worldwide, moving forward in the field of space exploration.
The Chief Minister emphasized that space is a profound and dynamic science with immense potential for continuous innovation. He urged industrialists, investors, and space science experts at the seminar to contribute to developing the space ecosystem in Gujarat. Confident in the state’s ability to contribute significantly to the futuristic space sector under the Prime Minister’s guidance, he expressed this vision.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath highlighted that progress in the space sector aims for the long-term prosperity of the nation. He stressed the importance of increasing the country’s prosperity through space.