Guwahati: The FICCI Northeast Advisory Council has welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, saying it offers an inclusive and forward-looking roadmap for economic growth and job creation amid global and geopolitical uncertainties.

Reacting to the Budget, Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman of the FICCI Northeast Advisory Council, said it reflects confidence in India’s economic fundamentals and takes a balanced approach to emerging global challenges. He said the continued focus on public capital expenditure, manufacturing, MSMEs and infrastructure will help sustain long-term growth and employment.

Barthakur also highlighted the Budget’s emphasis on education, healthcare and skill development. He said these areas are vital for building long-term capacity and ensuring inclusive growth, especially for regions like the North East. Strengthening these sectors, he added, will help the region play a stronger role in India’s growth story.

On infrastructure, Barthakur said the focus on inland waterways and multimodal logistics is particularly important for the North East and Assam. He noted that better river connectivity can reduce logistics costs, improve market access and unlock economic potential in the region.

Welcoming the environmental initiatives, Barthakur said the proposed large-scale deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage shows a growing commitment to sustainable and responsible growth while expanding industrial capacity.

Ghanshyam Dhanuka, Chairman of the FICCI Assam State Council, said the Budget includes several announcements directly relevant to Assam. He highlighted the proposed development of Buddhist circuits across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, saying it will boost tourism, preserve cultural heritage and generate local employment.

Dhanuka also welcomed reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, including tax rationalisation, reduction in litigation and greater certainty for taxpayers. He said these measures will boost investor confidence and support enterprise-led growth in states like Assam.

Joydeep Gupta, Co-Chairman of the FICCI Assam State Council, praised the Budget’s strong focus on digital and technology-led growth with regional outreach. He said the tax holiday for cloud services and safe harbour provisions can position India as a global data and cloud hub, opening new opportunities for Assam and the North East.

Gupta said IT sector reforms such as higher safe harbour limits, consolidation of IT services and automated approvals will benefit mid-sized firms, start-ups and digital service providers in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. He also welcomed the promotion of agarwood as a high-value forest product, saying it can boost rural livelihoods, exports and agro-forestry enterprises in Assam.

He further noted that strengthening mental healthcare infrastructure, including integration of institutions like Tezpur Mental Hospital with national systems, will improve access to specialised care and help Assam emerge as a regional mental health hub.

Larsing Sawyan, Co-Chairman of the FICCI Northeast State Council, said the Budget’s focus on tourism, sports, skilling and agriculture will create livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level. He said initiatives like tourism infrastructure development and the Khelo India Mission can support local enterprises, youth participation and community-based economic activity.

Overall, FICCI leaders said the Union Budget 2026–27 blends growth, sustainability, technology and regional development, helping Assam and the North East integrate more closely with India’s broader economic journey.