Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma takes green energy, semiconductor push to Davos agenda

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 19 said the state must be viewed as an integral part of the Northeast’s collective economic future, asserting that any growth in Assam automatically benefits the entire region due to deep interlinkages in geography, talent, and infrastructure.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Sarma said Assam cannot be seen in isolation from the rest of the Northeast. He underlined that when major investments come to Assam, they are meant for the whole region. Citing the proposed Tata semiconductor project, the Chief Minister said that while such industries may be geographically located in Assam, their economic impact will extend across all Northeastern states.

Describing Guwahati as the gateway to the Northeast, Sarma said the city naturally attracts talent from across the region, particularly because other states are largely hilly and face limitations in hosting certain types of large-scale industries. Assam, with its extensive plains and availability of land, provides the ecosystem necessary for industrial growth, thereby creating opportunities for youth from the entire Northeast. He added that every rupee invested in Assam effectively circulates through the wider regional economy.

On the semiconductor sector, the Chief Minister said Assam is witnessing growing interest from industry players following Tata’s entry. He confirmed that a meeting with leaders of the semiconductor industry is scheduled, noting that while no specific proposal is currently on the table, interactions with key stakeholders are expected to accelerate momentum and ecosystem development in the state.

Highlighting developments in tourism, Sarma said Assam has already received multiple investment offers for hotels and homestays. While no fresh memoranda of understanding will be signed at Davos for tourism, he said several MoUs are lined up in Guwahati for the establishment of five-star hotels in Guwahati city and Kaziranga after his return.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit held last year, Sarma said MoUs worth around Rs 5 lakh crore were signed, out of which investments close to Rs 3 lakh crore have already been grounded. He noted that land acquisition and project execution have begun across sectors. He added that existing investors are now expanding their plans, with proposals emerging to complement solar power projects with pumped storage projects (PSP), reflecting increased confidence in Assam’s investment climate.

During his Davos visit, Sarma said Assam’s focus is firmly on green and new energy sectors. He stated that MoUs worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore are expected to be signed, primarily in areas such as pumped storage projects and innovative initiatives like converting bamboo to methanol, which he described as a unique opportunity for the state.

Calling Assam’s participation at the World Economic Forum a milestone, Sarma said this is the first time the state is formally presenting itself at Davos. He said the objective is to convey that Assam is now an emerging state and economy, worthy of consideration alongside traditional investment destinations in India. He cited recent Reserve Bank of India data indicating that Assam is officially the fastest-growing state in the country, reinforcing its growing attractiveness for investors.

The Chief Minister also pointed to the International Monetary Fund’s recent upward revision of India’s growth projection to over seven percent, saying that within this broader national growth story, the time has come for investors to explore diverse regions. He expressed confidence that Assam can offer a robust and competitive platform for investment within India’s evolving economic landscape.