Dipak Kurmi
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com.)
The Government of Assam is all set to host one of the most eagerly awaited economic milestones of 2025—the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit. Scheduled for February 25-26, 2025, at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara, Guwahati, this summit is poised to elevate Assam’s global economic standing and pave the way for transformative growth. Organised by the Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), the summit is being hailed as the state’s most ambitious investment promotion initiative to date. It promises to be a high-profile platform where business leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the globe will gather to discuss opportunities and strategies for propelling Assam into the economic spotlight.
At its core, Advantage Assam 2.0 aims to harness Assam’s unique geopolitical and economic strengths to attract foreign investments, encourage infrastructural development, and showcase the state’s rapidly evolving potential. Nestled strategically at the crossroads of Northeast India and Southeast Asia, Assam is increasingly seen as a critical gateway for trade and commerce. With a rich repository of natural resources, a burgeoning economy, and an expanding infrastructure base, the state is perfectly positioned to foster growth across various sectors, including agriculture, food processing, tourism, digital economies, and high-tech industries.
A Snapshot of Assam’s Economic Transformation
The rise of Assam as a favourable investment destination has been nothing short of impressive. The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate surged by a remarkable 19.5% in 2022-23, reflecting the positive impact of forward-thinking governance and investor-friendly policies. Assam’s economic trajectory is not just limited to traditional sectors; new-age industries are making a mark as well. For example, Tata’s USD 3.3 billion Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) project at Jagiroad stands as a testament to Assam’s growing appeal in high-tech manufacturing. This significant investment underscores the state’s capacity to attract transformative projects that can revolutionise its industrial landscape.
Additionally, Assam has successfully positioned itself as an attractive hub for export-orientated manufacturing, with strategic linkages to the booming markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal (BEN). The summit will highlight these opportunities, aiming to forge deeper trade relations in sectors such as agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, and infrastructure development. Assam’s proactive approach towards creating a robust policy environment and its growing infrastructure capacity make it a hotbed for global investors looking to tap into the dynamic and fast-growing economies of South and Southeast Asia.
A Global Stage for Investment Opportunities
Advantage Assam 2.0 is expected to be more than just a conventional business summit; it will serve as a dynamic platform for government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) dialogues. The event will facilitate a series of networking opportunities, enabling investors to engage with local entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and government officials. With key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, automobile manufacturing, tourism, and financial services taking centre stage, the summit will provide a comprehensive view of Assam’s diverse and evolving investment landscape.
The Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has left no stone unturned to ensure the success of this flagship initiative. Roadshows, aimed at creating awareness and building anticipation, have been organized across several domestic and international locations. These pre-summit events are designed to reach out to investors and provide them with a firsthand understanding of Assam’s economic vision. Recent roadshows in Mumbai and Delhi, followed by events in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, have showcased the state’s promise and potential. The domestic outreach will culminate in Kolkata on January 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, the international roadshows have spanned key global markets, including Bhutan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and several Asian economies. The global outreach began with an event in Bhutan in December 2024 and has included simultaneous roadshows in the UAE and Thailand in January 2025. With additional roadshows planned in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and New York, Assam is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international investment. This strategic global outreach is critical in ensuring that Assam’s economic vision resonates with the right stakeholders, driving the momentum needed to bring in the capital and expertise required for its continued transformation.
A Historical Context of Investment Success
Advantage Assam 2.0 builds on the successes of its predecessor, the first Global Investors’ Summit, Advantage Assam, held in 2018. The inaugural event, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attracted more than 200 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), with investment commitments worth Rs 1,00,000 crore. The first summit showcased Assam’s potential as a hub for trade, commerce, and investment and established the state as a key player in the government’s Act East Policy. This policy aimed to strengthen ties between Northeast India and ASEAN countries, boosting trade relations, people-to-people contact, and diplomatic engagements.
In 2018, Assam’s Ease of Doing Business ranking was a clear indicator of the state’s conducive environment for investment, a reputation that has only strengthened over time. The advantage Assam has today lies not just in its natural resources but also in the state’s enhanced infrastructure, improved logistics, and a thriving young workforce. The vision of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma to place Assam at the centre of India’s economic progress is gaining momentum with each passing day, making the state one of the most attractive investment destinations in the country.
What to Expect from Advantage Assam 2.0
Advantage Assam 2.0 will undoubtedly stand out for its scale, ambition, and strategic vision. The event will feature an extensive lineup of sessions and discussions aimed at unlocking new business avenues. Policymakers will meet with investors to outline the state’s economic roadmap, highlighting policies that favour investment, ease of doing business, and sustainable growth. Local entrepreneurs, particularly from Assam’s burgeoning start-up ecosystem, will have a chance to showcase their innovations, adding to the vibrancy of the summit.
The key sectors that will be spotlighted during the summit—pharma, healthcare, automobile manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and financial services—are expected to serve as the pillars of Assam’s next phase of economic growth. In addition to these, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, and digital technologies will take centre stage as vital areas for future investments. Assam’s ability to align these sectors with its broader infrastructural vision, backed by strategic public-private partnerships, will solidify its standing as a hub for future-ready industries.
A New Dawn for Assam’s Economic Future
As Assam prepares to host Advantage Assam 2.0, the anticipation around the summit is palpable. The event promises to be a major turning point for the state, offering a unique opportunity to build new economic partnerships and unlock substantial investment opportunities. The government’s focus on infrastructure development, coupled with a robust policy framework, positions Assam as a rising star on India’s economic map. The summit will mark the beginning of a new chapter, as the state seeks to cement its role as a key driver of India’s economic aspirations.
With global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers converging in Guwahati, the world will witness firsthand the unfolding of Assam’s transformative journey—one that is set to redefine the future of the Northeast and propel it into the global economic arena. As the curtain rises on this monumental event, Assam stands ready to chart its course as a beacon of opportunity and growth.