Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, Assam steps onto the world stage at Davos, projecting a bold vision of diversification, growth, and global integration
Guwahati: Assam scripted a historic milestone in its economic journey as it made its maiden appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Becoming the first Chief Minister from the state to represent Assam at the prestigious global forum, Sarma positioned the Northeast firmly within India’s evolving global investment narrative, signalling a decisive shift in perception and ambition.
Participating as part of ‘Team Bharat’, the Chief Minister described Assam’s engagement at Davos as both symbolic and transformative, reflecting the Centre’s vision of balanced and inclusive growth. His presence underscored a clear message: Assam is no longer confined to the margins of economic discourse but is emerging as a confident and credible destination for global investment.
The impact of Assam’s debut was immediate and substantial, with the state attracting investment commitments worth approximately Rs 1 lakh crore. This strong response highlighted growing international confidence in Assam’s policy stability, governance reforms, and future-ready vision championed by the Chief Minister.
While Assam has long been associated with tea and hydrocarbons, Sarma used the global platform to showcase a forward-looking and diversified economic roadmap. “We are now talking about opportunities in semiconductors, electronics, green and renewable energy, fertilisers, chemicals, and advanced manufacturing,” he said, outlining the state’s transition towards high-value and technology-driven industries.
During the summit, the Assam government, led by the Chief Minister, held high-level meetings with global industry leaders, including major players in the semiconductor ecosystem such as IBM, Synopsys, and Qualcomm. Sarma highlighted the growing presence of the Tata Group in Assam, particularly in the semiconductor sector as a pivotal development that has amplified investor confidence and interest in the state.
At the same time, the Chief Minister ensured that Assam’s traditional sectors remained central to discussions. Addressing challenges faced by the tea industry due to shifting geopolitical dynamics and declining exports to markets like Russia and Iran, Sarma stressed the need for new trade agreements with the UK and the European Union to safeguard and expand Assam’s global tea footprint.
Emphasising Assam’s robust economic performance, Sarma noted that the state has maintained an impressive average annual growth rate of around 13 per cent over the past five years. He credited this momentum to sustained policy focus and the Prime Minister’s consistent emphasis on the development of the Northeast.
On the broader significance of the visit, the Chief Minister remarked that Assam’s participation at Davos represents a changing global engagement narrative, one that increasingly recognises emerging regions as key growth engines. “I think we have made a meaningful impact. We have met several stakeholders and signed significant MoUs. The entire visit has been very useful, and we are extremely happy with its outcome,” he said.
With this historic debut at the World Economic Forum, Himanta Biswa Sarma has not only placed Assam on the global investment map but has also redefined the Northeast’s role in India’s growth story, marking the beginning of a new era of international engagement for the state.
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