Advantage Assam 2.0 To Steer Growth Of Northeast Region

⛎The driving force behind this grand event is chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who has travelled over 15,000 kilometers, visiting cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Thimphu, Seoul, Tokyo, and Osaka, personally inviting investors to be part of this transformative summit.

𒁏Advantage Assam 2.0 is a momentous occasion for the state and chief minister Sarma to realise his long-held vision: attracting substantial investments, invigorating the local economy, creating meaningful employment opportunities for the state’s youth, and positioning Assam prominently on the global map as a preferred investment destination.

﷽The Assam chief minister wants to make the state India’s leading state with a $12 billion infrastructure investment plan and $4 billion in private investments. He has set an audacious target of raising the state’s GDSP to $143 billion by 2030. Speaking at Mumbai Roadshow, Sarma declared, “I have laid down our government’s vision of turning Assam into an industrialised state, rolling out the red carpet for industries with a Rs 25,000 crore PLI scheme and customised incentives.” He also highlighted Assam’s strategic advantages including access to southeast Asia: within a three-hour flight from Guwahati, businesses can access 30% of the world’s population across 14 countries, making the state an ideal hub for trade and cultural exchange. “Assam stands out as one of India’s most peaceful destinations,” he added. During his Japan Roadshow, Sarma highlighted that Assam’s economy is poised to triple next year, achieving an extraordinary, sustained growth rate of 12.4% and hoped that the state could play a catalytic role in strengthening the economic bond between India and Japan.

𒈔The Summit is centred on key sectors such as infrastructure, electronics and semiconductors, aerospace and defence manufacturing, renewable energy and hydrocarbons, tourism, food and beverages, fragrance and Flavors, and mobility and logistics.

𝐆The event holds immense national importance as it aligns with PM Modi’s vision of prioritising the growth of the northeast region. Since taking office, PM Modi has emphasised the strategic significance of the northeast, often highlighting the neglect it faced under successive governments and the need to bring it into the national mainstream. The NDA government has provided a significant thrust to the region’s development through transformative reforms and a focused push on infrastructure, encompassing roads, bridges, railway tracks, and highways.

🌌Assam boasts of unique advantages beyond its strategic geographical significance. Rich in flora, fauna, and abundant natural resources, the state is a treasure trove of opportunity. Digboi, famously known as the birthplace of India’s oil industry, saw the country’s first oil discovery and production in 1889. Over the decades, oil has played a vital role in contributing to Assam’s resources. With a bold, pro-industry outlook, the state is now poised to harness its immense potential and drive transformative growth.

♔The state sits on a vast reservoir of natural resources, including hydrocarbons.

𝓀CM Sarma has consistently highlighted the critical role of unlocking the hydrocarbon potential of the northeast region in driving development. He has expressed gratitude to the Central government for its collaborative approach to advancing Assam’s hydrocarbons industry. Globally, it is well established that increased exploration generates greater opportunities and enhances national wealth.  Assam, too, boasts its own “liquid gold,” poised to transform into prosperity for the state and its people. With over 100 oil fields, the state is home to major oil giants like ONGC, Oil India, Indian Oil, GAIL and Cairn, among others. The potential of ongoing explorations, if realized, could significantly fuel Assam’s economic growth. The confidence of private sector players has soared under CM Sarma’s leadership, which has been instrumental in creating an environment conducive to investment and development in the hydrocarbons sector.

ౠOther than the hydrocarbons sector, the private sector has demonstrated substantial interest in other sectors also. Tata Group, for instance, is setting up a state-of-the-art, greenfield semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagi road, with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. On January 4 this year, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, in a post on his X handle, declared: “2026 – ‘Made in India, Made in Assam’ chips for the world!” This bold statement highlights Assam’s emergence and the Northeast’s growing role in the mainstream of development discourse and action.

🌊Given these monumental developments, it’s no surprise that industrial magnates such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Anil Agarwal, Anand Mahindra, N Chandrasekaran and many others have been invited and are likely to attend the Summit.

🅘For decades, eastern and northern India have often lagged in attracting big-ticket industrial investments. However, Advantage Assam 2.0, thanks to the state government’s generous incentives for manufacturers across various sectors, including auto companies from Japan and beyond, could pave the way for a shift in India’s manufacturing map, bringing new focus and growth to the eastern and northern regions.

ౠAssam is set to reach a ‘million crore economy’ by 2028. On January 1, the chief minister said, “The GDP of the state was Rs 3.40 lakh crore in 2020-21, and that has risen to Rs 7.12 lakh crore now. At the current growth rate, it is estimated that the GDP will cross Rs 10 lakh crore by 2028.”

🌜However, it wouldn’t be surprising if this milestone is achieved ahead of schedule. As Sarma once told me, “I can’t stand seeing a stiff target on the scoreboard. I prefer hitting a few sixes, making sure I’ve crossed the line well ahead of time.”