Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the state as an emerging investment hub at the second edition of the ICC Global Business Summit in New Delhi on September 18. He invited businesses from India and abroad to explore opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, tourism, energy and emerging industries.
Sarma highlighted Assam’s strategic location, improving infrastructure, skilled workforce and expanding economy. He said these factors could help the state play a larger role in India’s next phase of economic growth.
The Chief Minister also described Assam as a potential gateway between India and the wider ASEAN region. He pointed to the state’s location at the intersection of South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia as an important economic advantage.
Assam Positioned as Gateway to ASEAN
Sarma said Assam shares international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh and has the potential to connect India’s Northeast with Southeast Asian markets.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to improve connectivity through highways, railways, inland waterways, airports and logistics infrastructure. According to him, these developments are helping reduce the economic impact of distance and creating new opportunities for businesses.
The Chief Minister specifically mentioned the Multimodal Logistics Park at Jogighopa, the expansion of the Pandu and Dhubri terminals and efforts to develop the Brahmaputra as an economic waterway.
Assam now has seven operational airports, while further expansion is underway. The new terminal at Guwahati airport has been designed to handle around 13 million passengers annually.
Investment Commitments Under Advantage Assam 2.0
Sarma also highlighted the progress made since the Advantage Assam 2.0 – Infrastructure and Investment Summit.
According to the Chief Minister, Assam received investment commitments worth Rs 5.18 lakh crore through the summit. He said projects worth around Rs 3.5 lakh crore had since moved from commitments to investments on the ground within a year.
Some of these projects have already become operational, according to the state government.
Sarma said the government’s focus was not simply on attracting investment commitments. Instead, it wanted to ensure that investments translate into actual projects, economic activity and employment.
He added that more than 3,700 new factories had been registered in Assam since May 2021, representing around 1.11 lakh factory workers.
Semiconductor Industry Emerges as Key Sector
The Chief Minister placed particular emphasis on Assam’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem.
He said Tata Electronics’ Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and test facility is expected to be commissioned in December 2026. The facility is expected to produce up to 48 million chips a day and generate more than 27,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Sarma said Assam wants to develop a broader industrial ecosystem around the semiconductor facility. This could include precision components, industrial gases, packaging and testing equipment, clean-room services, maintenance, logistics and specialised engineering services.
The government also sees opportunities in downstream industries connected with the state’s existing oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.
Assam Targets Clean Energy Investments
Clean energy formed another major part of Assam’s investment pitch.
Sarma said the state is targeting 6,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Assam is also exploring opportunities in green hydrogen and bamboo-based second-generation ethanol.
These initiatives could create investment opportunities in renewable power, energy storage, bioenergy and energy-efficiency technologies.
The Chief Minister said these sectors could also help Assam create greater value from its agricultural and natural resources while diversifying its industrial base.
Young Workforce and Skill Development
Sarma also highlighted Assam’s young population as an important economic resource. He said the state’s median age is approximately 22 years, creating a large potential workforce for emerging industries.
He pointed to institutions such as IIT Guwahati, NIT Silchar and Assam Skill University as important parts of the state’s education and skills ecosystem.
The government is also focusing on foreign-language training to prepare young people for international employment opportunities.
Healthcare represents another sector that Assam wants to expand. Sarma highlighted opportunities in diagnostics, medical devices, telemedicine, nursing, paramedical training and medical tourism. He said the presence of AIIMS Guwahati and the growing healthcare ecosystem could help Guwahati develop into a regional healthcare centre.
Tourism and Tea Offer Investment Opportunities
Tourism also featured prominently in Assam’s investment pitch. Sarma highlighted the state’s natural and cultural attractions, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven National Parks and the Brahmaputra.
Assam’s tea industry also provides opportunities for investment in processing, packaging, branding and exports. The state has around 800 tea gardens, giving businesses an established agricultural and industrial base.
The Chief Minister said Assam wants to increase the economic value generated from tourism and agricultural products by developing stronger processing, branding and export networks.
Government Promises Investor Support
Sarma said Assam is working to improve its business environment through single-window clearances, sector-specific policies, industrial land banks and dedicated industrial infrastructure.
He said the state’s single-window system had facilitated more than 2.5 million approvals. The government has also appointed senior nodal officers to coordinate between departments and address investor concerns within stipulated timelines.
The Chief Minister invited businesses to visit Assam and assess opportunities directly. He also assured investors of continued support from the state administration.
Focus on Turning Opportunities Into Projects
The Chief Minister’s message at the ICC Global Business Summit focused on moving Assam’s economy towards greater industrial and investment activity.
He said partnerships between government, businesses, universities and research institutions would be important for building stronger economic ecosystems. According to him, infrastructure and policy support from the government, technology and market access from industry, and knowledge from educational institutions can work together to create jobs and strengthen supply chains.
The summit provided Assam with a platform to present these opportunities to a wider business audience.
Assam Seeks Bigger Role in India’s Growth Story
Sarma’s investment pitch places Assam at the centre of the state’s strategy to expand manufacturing, logistics, clean energy, tourism and advanced industries.
The state is seeking to use its geographic position, improving connectivity, young workforce and natural resources to attract new businesses. The government is also focusing on converting investment commitments into operational projects.
At the global business summit, Sarma invited companies to explore Assam as a gateway to India’s Northeast and the ASEAN region. The pitch comes as the state seeks to strengthen its role in India’s eastern economic growth and build deeper connections with national and international markets.