Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day Advantage Assam 2.0: Investment and Infrastructure Summit in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, several union and state government ministers, a number of foreign envoys and a host of industry captains here in Guwahati today.
Delivering the inaugural address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Assam’s rich industrial legacy and its promise to emerge as a leader in the country’s industrial landscape. The Prime Minister while reiterating the Government of India’s unwavering support and commitment for Assam’s rise as an industrial powerhouse, also complimented the state in diversifying its economy with a focus on technology and manufacturing.
It may be noted that Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit is an event to present the rich investment and industrial ecosystem existing in Assam along with its locational advantage, tailored made and customized investment policies and a sprawling market with good potential to give rich investment dividends.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma termed the summit as a landmark event in Assam’s industrial journey. He said that with the blessings and esteemed presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit will mark a new era of growth and opportunity. On this occasion, on behalf of the people of Assam, he extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister said that celebrating 200 years of Assam Tea, marks Assam’s industrial legacy. Referring to its history, Dr. Sarma said tea was the first major industry in Assam, discovered in 1823. Stating the rich past of Assam’s industrialization, the Chief Minister said that the state has been a pioneer in India’s oil industry and coal was discovered in Assam as early as in 1847, which further propelled Assam’s industrial journey and laid the foundation for Assam’s sustained economic growth. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that at the time of India’s independence, Assam was an economic front runner, enriched with tea, natural resources and hydrocarbon reserves with per capita income above the national average by 4 per cent.
Dr. Sarma said that today under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam has undergone a historic transformation. Prime Minister’s commitment has propelled Assam into a new era of rapid development and renewed optimism. He said that since 2014, over 2,324 km of National Highways have been constructed. Indian Railways has completed gauge conversion of 600 km of meter gauge lines. Moreover, Assam is now a catalyst for India’s aviation growth becoming the seventh busiest airport in India. State GDP is surging from 29 billion dollars in 2013–14 to 68.7 billion dollars in 2023–24, reflecting a growth of 12.4 per cent CAGR.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma moreover requested all the industrialists, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discover Assam’s vast investment potential across diverse sectors. He reiterated that Assam is ready to be the investors’ reliable partner, ensuring that their investment journey is rewarding and full of boundless opportunities.
Chairman Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran, CMD Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, Chairman Adani Group Gautam Adani, Chairman Vedanta Groups Anil Agarwal, CMD JSW Groups Sajjan Jindal spoke on the occasion.
Chairman Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran while underlining Assam’s rise in the technology sector, especially with the ATMP facility being developed by Tata Electronics at Jagiroad complimented the favourable industrial ecosystem in Assam. While highlighting future areas of collaboration with the Assam Government, he assured investment in sectors like green energy, and mobile manufacturing chips in Assam in the next 5 years.
CMD Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani highlighted 5 priority areas for collaboration including clean energy, food and non-food, bamboo, consumer durable retail and hotels apart from the silk industry of Sualkuchi assured investment of Rs. 50,000 crores over the next 5 years.
Adani Group’s Gautam Adani also committed Rs. 50,000 Cr. investment in the next 5 years in areas like clean energy, and infrastructure creation including road projects.
Besides, the Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal assured investment of Rs. 50000 crore, and JSW Group CMD Sajjan Jindal assured investments in sectors like renewable energy and thermal power in Assam.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Agriculture & Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan Younten Phuntsho, Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Heads of Missions from several countries, state government ministers and industry leaders.