The International Business Conclave at the Advantage Vidarbha 2026, arranged by Association of Industrial Development (AID) and supported by Global India Business Forum (GIBF) as global partner at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Campus from February 6-8, 2026, saw a resounding success.
Graced by Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji – Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji – Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje – Hon’ble Minister of State for MSME, diplomats from 22+ countries, and key industry stakeholders, the event emphasized that business dialogue, cross‑border collaboration, and shared innovation are the pillars of sustainable global prosperity.
Advantage Vidarbha 2026 – The International Business Conclave, organised by the Association of Industrial Development (AID) and supported by the Global India Business Forum (GIBF) as the global partner, was held at the RTMNU Campus, Nagpur from February 6–8, 2026. The event was graced by Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari (Union Minister), Shri Devendra Fadnavis (Chief Minister of Maharashtra), Sushri Shobha Karandlaje (Minister of State for MSME), diplomats from 22+ countries, and key industry stakeholders.
The Advantage Vidarbha 2026 Mega Multi-sectoral Expo took place on February 6, 2026, at the RTMNU Campus and was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, along with Jeet Adani, Director (Airports) of the Adani Group. The stall hosted by Abhi Group of Companies and the Global India Business Forum received an excellent response from visitors and business delegates.
The day also included important visits by diplomatic and business delegations to leading educational and healthcare institutions. Delegates visited Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), one of the largest cancer hospitals in Nagpur. Mr. Abhishek Joshi, GIBF Global Director – Investment and Business Council, accompanied the international delegation and business leaders during the visit, which was also marked by the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
Diplomatic and business community visits included Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), one of the largest healthcare institutions in Nagpur. Mr. Abhishek Joshi, GIBF Global Director, accompanied the international delegation and business leaders to NCI, along with the presence of Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
The day concluded with a gala dinner organised for ambassadors, high commissioners, consul generals, diplomats, and awardees. Mr. Abhishek Joshi and the GIBF team, along with Mr. Ashish Kale, President – AID, Mr. Vijay Sharma, Secretary – AID, and the AID team, were present at the event.
The International Business Conclave organised under Advantage Vidarbha 2026 was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, along with other dignitaries. The dais included Dr. Jitendra Joshi, Founder and Global President of GIBF; Deepali Gadkari, Secretary General, GIBF; Abhishek Joshi, GIBF Global Director – Investment and Business Council; Ashish Kale, President, AID; Vijay Sharma, Secretary, AID; and other distinguished guests. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Ashish Kale.
In his keynote address, Dr. Jitendra Joshi highlighted GIBF’s collaborations with over 150 countries, its councils across 100 nations, and its international conclaves. He appreciated the continued support of government leaders towards the growth of MSMEs. A special edition of The Business Tycoons, the official publication of GIBF, was also inaugurated during the event.
Felicitation of Ambassadors / High Commissioners / diplomats by the ministers. The distinguished diplomats included (partial list):
Earlier in the day, the diplomats visited expo stalls.
The welcome address regarding Advantage Vidarbha was delivered by Mr. Ashish Kale, President of AID.
Dr. Jitendra Joshi, while delivering the keynote address, informed the dignitaries on the dais and the audience about GIBF's objectives, work done until now and further plans. He gave a brief about the tie-ups with 150+ countries, setting up Councils with 100 countries and about international business conclaves and business delegations. He praised the respected ministers for being instrumental in the development of Maharashtra and their support to the MSME sector.
"Looking ahead, with the cooperation and support of both of you, we are confident that we can make a significant and positive contribution to SME entrepreneurs in the Vidarbha region. This year marks the first time that we are organizing such an international business conclave where Diplomats and High Commissioners are present in large numbers. We firmly believe that next year, not only Diplomats and High Commissioners, but also leading industrialists from various countries will visit Nagpur, and through GIBF and AID. We assure you that we will create exceptional business opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Vidarbha region," Dr. Joshi said.
A special edition of GIBF's mouthpiece, The Business Tycoons magazine, was inaugurated by the dignitaries on the dais.
This was followed by the felicitation of the ambassadors/high commissioners and other diplomats by the respected ministers. The distinguished diplomats included:
Total: 21 countries
Shri Nitin Gadkari, during his address, stated that Vidarbha has long been a leading region for mineral resources such as coal. With the introduction of advanced technologies like the coal gasification and derivatives project—the first of its kind in the country—the entire coal ecosystem of Vidarbha is set for a transformative shift.
He emphasized that Maharashtra's growth-led policies are accelerating economic momentum, making the state increasingly attractive and investor-friendly. This forward-looking and integrated vision is expected to define Maharashtra's next phase of transformational growth.
“The biggest achievement is that diplomats from 23 countries are present here today,” Gadkari noted.
Shri Devendra Fadnavis then addressed the audience, highlighting that Maharashtra is the most urbanized state in India, with more than 50 percent of its population residing in cities.
“I would like to tell all members of the diplomatic community that today, the best business opportunities in India are in the state of Maharashtra, and currently the most emerging region is Vidarbha. If you wish to establish your business, this is the right time,” Fadnavis said.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Vijay Sharma, Secretary – AID.
From 12 noon, Panel Discussions and Group Meetings – country‑specific and sector‑specific – took place as arranged by GIBF. Groups A, B, C, D were formed with simultaneous discussions and one‑on‑one meetings.
Round table B2B/B2G meetings – structured and open to all sectors. Delegates met country diplomats one‑on‑one for networking and exchange of cards to explore international partnerships.
Direct dialogues with economic counsellors and envoys from 22 nations, fostering real‑time trade and investment leads for Vidarbha MSMEs.
The International Business Conclave, organised by the Global India Business Forum (GIBF) as the global partner of Advantage Vidarbha 2026, hosted by the Association for Industrial Development (AID), was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, along with other distinguished dignitaries.
The event witnessed the presence of Dr. Jitendra Joshi, Founder and Global President of GIBF; Deepali Gadkari, Secretary General; Mr. Abhishek Joshi, Global Director – Investment and Business Council; Mr. Ashish Kale, President – AID; and Mr. Vijay Sharma, Secretary – AID, among other prominent leaders who shared the dais.
The closing ceremony featured the felicitation of outstanding MSME business leaders with the Crown of Excellence, presented by Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for MSME (Government of India), along with other dignitaries. Sushri Karandlaje highlighted the MSME sector’s vital role in strengthening the nation’s economy and appreciated both the business leaders for their contributions and GIBF for recognizing their achievements.
Dr. Jitendra Joshi, Deepali Gadkari, and Mr. Abhishek Joshi were also present on the dais during the felicitation ceremony, marking a proud moment of recognition and celebration for India’s thriving MSME community.
