Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held discussions with Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran ahead of his scheduled meeting with representatives of the global semiconductor industry at the World Economic Forum (WEF) later on Monday. The Chief Minister said the Tata Group is playing a key role in anchoring Assam’s semiconductor sector. He added that the state government is keen to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem by collaborating with major global players. The meeting comes as Assam seeks to position itself as an emerging hub for semiconductor manufacturing and allied industries. Positioning Assam as a regional growth engine, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said investments flowing into the state are intended to benefit the entire Northeast, given the deep economic and infrastructural linkages among the states. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Sarma said Assam cannot be viewed in isolation, as major investments in the state are designed to support growth across the Northeast. Referring to the proposed Tata semiconductor project, he said that while such facilities may be located in Assam, their economic impact will extend to all Northeastern states.
Describing Guwahati as the gateway to the Northeast, the Chief Minister said the city attracts skilled manpower from across the region. He noted that many Northeastern states are predominantly hilly and face limitations in hosting large-scale industries, while Assam’s vast plains and land availability make it suitable for industrial development. This, he said, creates employment opportunities for youth across the region and ensures that investments in Assam circulate through the wider Northeastern economy. On the semiconductor sector, Sarma said industry interest has grown following Tata’s entry into Assam. He confirmed that discussions with key semiconductor players are scheduled, adding that although no formal proposals have been submitted yet, these engagements are expected to accelerate ecosystem development in the state. Turning to tourism, the Chief Minister said Assam has already received several investment proposals for hotels and homestays. While no tourism-related agreements will be signed at Davos, he said multiple memoranda of understanding are planned in Guwahati after his return, including projects for five-star hotels in Guwahati and Kaziranga.
Reviewing the outcomes of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, Sarma said agreements worth around Rs 5 lakh crore were signed, with nearly Rs 3 lakh crore worth of projects already underway. He added that land acquisition and execution have begun across sectors, and existing investors are expanding their plans, including proposals to integrate solar power projects with pumped storage facilities. During his Davos visit, Sarma said Assam’s priority remains green and new energy. He noted that MoUs worth close to Rs 1 lakh crore are expected, particularly in pumped storage projects and innovative ventures such as bamboo-to-methanol production. Calling Assam’s participation at the World Economic Forum a milestone, Sarma said this marks the state’s first formal presence at Davos. He said the objective is to position Assam as an emerging investment destination within India. Citing recent Reserve Bank of India data, he said Assam is currently the country’s fastest-growing state. Referring to the International Monetary Fund’s upward revision of India’s growth forecast to over seven percent, Sarma said investors are now looking beyond traditional markets. He expressed confidence that Assam offers a competitive and credible platform for investment in India’s evolving economy.