Gujarat Economic Association was formed in 1969. It is coincidence that Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research, Ahmedabad and Gujarat Economic Association came into existence in same year. Gujarat Economic Association was a brain child of Dr. D. T. Lakdawala who was eminent Professor of Bombay University and first Director of SPISER, Ahmedabad. He was the first president of the GEA who has nurtured, inspired and organized the association. The pioneer of association paved way to the growth of the association. The successive presidents of the association after Dr. D. T. Lakdawala (who was also Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission), Dr. I. G. Patel (prominent economist, Director of London School of Economics, London UK; Director of Indian Instituite of Management, Ahmedabad; Economic Adviser and Policy Maker at Union Government of India and also at State level); Prof. V. N. Kothari (exponent in his field, academician and educationalist); Prof. Y. K. Alagh (Union Minister of State for Planning and Programme Implementation, Science and Technology and Power 1996-98); and Prof. Rohitbhai Shukla (economist, Academician and educationalist, activist, editor, critique of economic, social and economic policy of government and roaring against injustice when humanities under peril).

Thus, under the leadership of such distinguished personalities, association has flourished and marched ahead. Their academic entrepreneurship, policy wisdom, insight and logical reasoning in policy making as well as their way of understanding of the economy immensely contributed to the activities of pursuits of association. The association is regularly organizing annual conferences at various colleges, universities and institutions in the state of Gujarat. The college and university teachers, and researchers are participating and presenting their paper on given subjects of economics on themes – economic theories and economic problems of Gujarat. Every year the conference is attended by 250 to 300 participants.

The association is fortunate to have Dr. Mohan Patel as a Secretary whose commitment, devotion, organizational and managerial abilities have accelerated the growth of association. Also, the generous funding facilities and support of Sardar Patel Education Trust, Anand has incentives to Dr. Mohan Patel to carry the different activities and programs under the banner of GEA. The association has more than 400 Life members who are one way or other active in growth and function of association. Moreover, it is with noting that owing to dynamic approach to Dr. Mohan Patel, the association is affiliated to Global Economic Forum of United Nation initiative; Indian Economic Association (IEA); Indian Economics & Allied Sciences Association (IEASA) and ICSSR.

Moreover, the association is arranging memorial lectures, workshops, seminars, faculty development programs for teachers of economics, and bestowing prize for the best research papers in the conference. The association publication includes SPET Research Journal of Social sciences published by N. S. Patel Arts College, Anand.