NEW DELHI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma   used the global platform of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to position the state as a key driver of economic growth in the Northeast, with a strong push for green energy, semiconductors and tourism-led investments.

Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF meeting, Sarma said Assam must be seen as an integral part of the Northeast’s collective economic future, arguing that development in the state inevitably benefits the entire region due to shared geography, talent pools and infrastructure linkages.

“Assam cannot be viewed in isolation. Whenever major investments come to Assam, they are meant for the whole of the Northeast,” the Chief Minister said. Referring to the proposed Tata semiconductor project, he noted that while such facilities may be geographically located in Assam, their economic impact would extend across all Northeastern states through employment, ancillary industries and supply chains.

Describing Guwahati as the gateway to the Northeast, Sarma said the city naturally attracts talent from across the region. He pointed out that the predominantly hilly terrain of other Northeastern states limits the establishment of certain large-scale industries, while Assam’s vast plains and land availability provide a conducive ecosystem for industrial growth. “Every rupee invested in Assam circulates across the wider regional economy,” he added.

On the semiconductor sector, Sarma said Assam is witnessing growing interest from industry players following Tata’s entry. He confirmed that meetings with leaders from the semiconductor industry are scheduled during his visit, adding that while no specific proposal is currently under consideration, such interactions are expected to accelerate momentum and ecosystem development in the state.

Turning to tourism, the Chief Minister said Assam has already received several investment offers for hotels and homestays. Although no new memoranda of understanding (MoUs) will be signed at Davos for the sector, he said multiple MoUs are planned in Guwahati after his return, including proposals for five-star hotels in Guwahati city and the Kaziranga region.

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, of which investments close to Rs 3 lakh crore have already been grounded. He said land acquisition and project execution are underway across sectors, with existing investors now expanding their plans. Among emerging proposals are projects to complement solar power initiatives with pumped storage projects (PSPs), indicating rising investor confidence in Assam.

At Davos, Assam’s focus is firmly on green and new energy, Sarma said, adding that MoUs worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore are expected to be signed, primarily in pumped storage projects and innovative initiatives such as converting bamboo into methanol. He described the latter as a unique opportunity aligned with the state’s natural resources.

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. The objective, he said, is to signal that Assam has emerged as a competitive investment destination alongside traditional economic hubs in India.

Citing recent Reserve Bank of India data, the Chief Minister said Assam is officially the fastest-growing state in the country. He also referred to the International Monetary Fund’s upward revision of India’s growth forecast to over seven percent, adding that within this broader national growth story, the time is ripe for investors to look beyond conventional regions. “Assam is ready to offer a robust and competitive platform for investment,” he said.

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