New Delhi: The US has not yet taken a final decision to become the partner country for Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit to be held next year, US Consul General Thomas Vajda said on Thursday. The mega business event is coinciding with the US presidential elections scheduled next year. However, the US has assured that it will give a serious consideration to the invitation by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday.
“Gujarat CM has extended the invitation to US to be the partner country this year, for which we are grateful to him. We will take it back and give a serious consideration,” Vajda told reporters. He said the timing of the event was “challenging”.
“One thing I pointed out to the CM (is) that the event takes place roughly one week before the inauguration of the new US President,” he added.
The biennial event is scheduled to be held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar from January 10 to 13. The US was the partner country of the summit in 2015 and was attended by US secretary of State John Kerry.
“The Vibrant Summit is right before the new US President takes office. So, the timing is bit challenging in that respect. But again, we will give a serious consideration to the invitation,” he said.
“I should say that regardless of government representations because of the timing, we can expect a large and active business delegation. Vibrant Summit is a great platform for the US companies to hold BtoB and BtoC meetings,” Vajda added.
Canada and the UK have confirmed their participation for the summit this year as partner countries.