Organized by Govt of Assam from 25th Feb to 26th Feb, 2025, Advantage Assam 2.0 aims to position Assam as an investment destination at the global stage by leveraging its natural endowments, locational advantage, and nascent industrial base. The sectors which offer immense opportunity for development and investment are:
Bamboo & Sustainable Harvests
Assam has one of the largest bamboo reserves in India, and there is scope for green industries.
Value-added products like bamboo salt, bamboo furniture, bamboo textiles, handicrafts, bamboo wood, bamboo laminated particle boards, bamboo for construction, bamboo char, bamboo shoot, bamboo fortified food, bamboo nutraceuticals, bamboo for cosmetics, building materials.
Sustainable harvesting practices can ensure biodiversity conservation while enhancing the rural economy. ‘Bari’ system can be made vibrant with Japanese investment and experience in OVOP.
Food Processing & Beverage
Assam is a major producer of tea and possesses a rich diversity of indigenous rice, fruits, vegetables, and spices.
Opportunities for establishing modern food processing units for packaged tea, organic produce, and traditional cuisine is immense.
Growth opportunities in organic teas, fruit beverages, and craft brewing for the beverage sector.
Green Energy (Renewable, Hydrocarbon, Hydrogen)
Excellent opportunity for hydroelectric power generation with plentiful river resources.
Investments in solar, wind, and biomass energy to create a green energy ecosystem.
Research into hydrogen fuel and biofuels to enable India’s transition to clean energy.
Infrastructure Development & Connectivity
Sustaining efforts on road, rail, and air connectivity under Act East Policy and PM Gati Shakti.
Logistics parks, inland waterways, and development of smart cities for unencumbered trade.
Boost in cross-border trade with ASEAN nations through increased connectivity. Myanmar issue has to be addressed through innovative strategy with Super Powers.
Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing
Strategic location makes Assam the perfect location for setting up defence and aerospace manufacturing units.
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility opportunities for aircraft.
Scope for production of drones and aerospace component supply chains.
Also develop hub for supply of food material like mutton, chicken, vegetables, rice etc to Defence Establishment.
Automotive Production
Availability of raw materials and skilled labour can attract auto component manufacturers.
Increased EV production with incentives from the government.
Potential to develop assembly units for commercial and two-wheeler vehicles. Thus developing ancillary units.
Electronics & Semiconductors
Government push for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing under “Make in India.”
Ability to establish electronics clusters for mobile phone, LED, and consumer electronics manufacturing.
Skilled workforce development programs can attract big international players. Serve Tata Semiconductor unit.
Tourism
Large cultural, heritage, adventure, community, health, wildlife, golf and tea tourism offer good investment opportunities.
Eco-tourism, river cruises, adventure tourism, and heritage circuits can generate higher revenues.
Improved hospitality facilities to cater to high-spending domestic and foreign tourists.
Fragrance & Flavours
Increased production of aromatic crops like lemongrass, patchouli, and citronella for extracting essential oils. Agar Oil should be made more diversified.
Enhanced demand for natural fragrances and flavouring for cosmetics, perfumery, and food industries.
Potential to establish Assam as a leading exporter of natural aromatic extracts.
Medicinal Plants
High biodiversity of Assam supports growth of medicinal plants like neem, ashwagandha, brahmi etc
Growing demand for herbal drugs, Ayurveda, and nutraceuticals offers export prospects.
Potential to set up herbal processing units and R&D centres.
Aromatic Plants
Large-scale commercial cultivation of aromatic plants will improve farmers’ income.
Value-added herbal product and essential oil extraction export potential.
Potential association with global fragrance and wellness majors.
Mobility & Logistics
Setup of multimodal logistics parks for hassle-free movement.
Improved connectivity with national and international corridors.
Enlargement in warehousing, cold storage, and e-commerce logistics services.
Organic Agriculture & GI Products
Assam has some GI-tagged products like Muga silk, Eri Silk, and Assam lemon.
Promotion of organic farming practices can boost exports and farmers’ incomes.
Setup of organic certification centers to develop sustainable agriculture.
Spices
Assam yields good quality spices like Bhut Jolokia (GI-tagged), black pepper, and turmeric.
Growing demand for organic and exotic spices in domestic as well as global markets.
Capacity for establishing spice processing and export facilities.
Naturally Grown Products
Assam’s fertile soil and favorable climatic conditions make naturally grown crops easy to cultivate.
High demand for rice, vegetables, and native herbs that are chemical-free.
Promotion of farm-to-table ideas to enhance access to local and foreign markets. Japan can be a large market.
Manpower
Export of skilled manpower, especially in the healthcare sector, is a bright prospect for states like Assam and India as a whole. With the population aging and rising healthcare needs in developed economies like Japan and Singapore, there is a huge demand for trained nurses and geriatric care specialists.
Conclusion
Benefit Assam 2.0 provides tremendous opportunities in various sectors on the basis of Assam’s locational advantage, natural resources, and emerging infrastructure. With a focus on sustainable development and investment-friendly policies, Assam can emerge as a frontrunner industrial and economic force in India. Howevr there is now competition from emerging states like MP, Uttarakhand who has better access to mainland. Assam’s pain in the neck is Bangladesh blocking the Brahmaputra Waterways to Bay of Bengal. Some strategic thinking required to alternate the Chicken’s Neck.
Manoj K Das, Former Director, IIE, Former MD, Neramac, Former Head A&C NEDFI..etc
