Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is on a crucial two-day visit to Singapore, where he is engaging in high-level meetings to foster stronger economic and strategic ties between Assam and the Southeast Asian nation. During his visit, he met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Tuesday to discuss ongoing collaborations and explore new opportunities in key sectors such as semiconductors, urban development, and green energy.
Strengthening India-Singapore Strategic Partnership
CM Sarma’s meeting with Singapore’s President highlighted Assam’s pivotal role in India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore. He acknowledged the strong historical and economic ties between the two regions, emphasizing Assam’s growing importance as a hub for trade, investment, and technology.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sarma stated, “Our discussions covered ongoing collaborative projects, with a special emphasis on Assam’s role as a key pillar in the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. I also shared the fond memories we hold of His Excellency’s visit to Assam in 2022.”
He also expressed gratitude for Singapore’s continued support and participation in Assam’s developmental initiatives, particularly in the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, where Singapore has been announced as the first partner country.
Meeting with Surbana Jurong for Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development
As part of his visit, CM Sarma held a strategic discussion with Low Cher Ek, the CEO and Global Lead of Township at Surbana Jurong Private Limited, a leading Singapore-based infrastructure and urban planning firm.
Surbana Jurong has been actively involved in various infrastructure and planning projects in Assam. During the meeting, Sarma reviewed the progress of these projects and discussed potential future collaborations to enhance urban development and improve the Ease of Living index in the state.
Speaking about the discussion, Sarma noted, “Today in Singapore, I reviewed Surbana Jurong’s existing projects in Assam along with Mr. Low Cher Ek and his team. We seek to leverage Singapore’s town planning expertise to build Assam’s future cities and industrial parks, enhancing the Ease of Living for our people.”
The Chief Minister expressed Assam’s keen interest in utilizing Singapore’s expertise to design sustainable urban centers, modern industrial zones, and world-class infrastructure to support rapid economic growth.
Boosting Semiconductor Industry in Assam
One of the key highlights of Sarma’s visit was his engagement with leaders from the semiconductor industry, a sector that has emerged as a major focus in India’s economic policies. Given the increasing demand for semiconductor manufacturing in India, Assam is positioning itself as an emerging player in the industry.
During his meeting with semiconductor industry leaders, Sarma extended an invitation for collaboration and investment in Assam’s upcoming Electronic City in Jagiroad, an ambitious project designed to boost the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in the region.
In his statement, Sarma said, “Semiconductor is an important facet of India-Singapore cooperation, and I have invited them to partner with us at Assam’s upcoming Electronic City in Jagiroad.”
With the Indian government actively promoting semiconductor production and aiming to reduce dependency on global supply chains, Assam’s initiative aligns with the national mission to develop a strong domestic electronics manufacturing base.
Advantage Assam 2.0: Strengthening Global Partnerships
Singapore was recently announced as the first partner country for the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, an international business and investment summit aimed at showcasing Assam’s potential as a global trade and investment destination.
The decision was confirmed by Singapore’s High Commissioner, HC Wong, following an Ambassador’s Roundtable in Delhi attended by CM Sarma. The summit will focus on multiple sectors, including industrial development, technology, green energy, and logistics, further enhancing Assam’s economic ties with global partners like Singapore.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to Singapore marks an important step in strengthening economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and technological advancements in Assam. His meetings with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Surbana Jurong officials, and semiconductor industry leaders reflect Assam’s ambition to become a hub for smart urban planning, advanced manufacturing, and global investments.
With Singapore playing a key role in Advantage Assam 2.0, this visit is expected to pave the way for increased bilateral collaborations, positioning Assam as a vital player in India’s growth story.
