Assam Plans Japanese Industrial Hub Near Guwahati to Drive Industrial Growth

GUWAHATI: Assam is keen to establish a Japanese industrial town near its capital, Guwahati, with the goal of promoting industrial growth in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Thursday.

"Japan has been a long-time key partner of our country, and we are looking to strengthen this partnership in Assam as we work to accelerate industrial growth," CM Sarma said while speaking at the fifth India-Japan Intellectual Conclave in Guwahati on Thursday. The two-day conclave, which started on Thursday, is being organized by the Shillong-based think tank, Asian Confluence, with support from the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"Japan, being a leader in electronics, robotics, renewable energy, and innovations, is a crucial partner in our efforts to enhance cooperation, focusing on industry and innovation for sustainable growth. Several Japanese companies are set to collaborate with Tata Electronics on the semiconductor assembly unit being established at Jagiroad near Guwahati. To further this collaboration, we aim to set up a Japanese industrial town near the semiconductor unit," Sarma stated. He also sought support from the Japanese government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other stakeholders to bring his vision of a Japanese industrial town to life.

The Act East Policy Affairs Department of the Assam government, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan, and the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority are among the partners involved in the conclave. During his recent visit to Japan, Sarma met with Japanese ministers, officials, and industry leaders, inviting them to the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment conclave, which will be held on February 25 and 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the event.

Sarma emphasized that the state is seeking Japanese investments in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, precision engineering, green energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable innovations to accelerate development in Assam, where the industrial sector is still in its early stages. "This will drive our industrial growth while ensuring environmental sustainability," he said. Earlier, Sarma had stated that Assam is ready for investment, having overcome its two major challenges: insurgency and agitations.

Ono Keiichi, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India and Bhutan, spoke at the conclave, highlighting the growing Japan-India collaboration and the roadmap for further development. Jaideep Majumdar, Secretary East at the MEA, MP Bezbaruah, Chairman of the Governing Council of Asian Confluence, and Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence, also addressed the inaugural session of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave.

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