Davos, Jan 22: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has highlighted the growing economic importance of the Northeastern region, asserting that Assam follows a focused and inclusive investment approach where every investor is treated as a “VIP investor,” irrespective of the scale of proposals.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting at Davos on Thursday, Sarma said Assam may not be a large state or command thousands of investment proposals, but it compensates through personalised engagement and sustained policy support.
He underlined that India’s growth story must be viewed through its regional strengths, with the Northeast increasingly emerging as a zone of economic dynamism. The Chief Minister noted that India comprises multiple regions with distinct potentials, and the Northeast is now witnessing a transformation driven by targeted interventions and backing from the Central Government.
According to him, long-standing bottlenecks in the region are being addressed, allowing its inherent strengths to come to the fore. Citing key indicators, Sarma said cement consumption in the Northeastern region has been growing at nearly 20 per cent annually, signalling rapid expansion in infrastructure and construction activity.
He also pointed out that India’s largest untapped hydrocarbon potential is currently being unlocked in Arunachal Pradesh, while Assam is positioning itself as an important contributor to the country’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem.
Highlighting another major shift, Sarma said Assam has transitioned into a power-surplus state, significantly enhancing its appeal for industrial investment. Improved energy availability, he added, has become a critical enabler for manufacturing and large-scale economic activity.
The Chief Minister further revealed that extensive geological exploration is underway in the Northeast, with G2 and G3 level surveys being conducted at five to six locations to assess rare earth material reserves. He said the findings could pave the way for strategic and industrial development of national importance.
Emphasising the need for a change in perception, Sarma said industries must view the Northeast not as a peripheral region but as a new frontier of opportunity. With improving infrastructure, energy security and vast natural resources, he said Assam and the wider Northeastern region are well positioned to play a pivotal role in India’s future economic growth.
IANS
