With Advantage Assam 2.0, the focus is on repositioning Assam from a resource-exporting state to a manufacturing and industrial hub
The industrial landscape of Assam is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once known primarily for its tea, oil, and natural resources, Assam is now emerging as a dynamic industrial hub, attracting national and international investments. The Advantage Assam 2.0 summit is a testament to this shift, solidifying the state’s position as an upcoming contributor to Viksit Bharat.
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For too long, Assam was associated with out-migration—youth leaving their homeland in search of better opportunities in metropolitan cities. However, with progressive policies, improved infrastructure, and a stable law-and-order environment, this is changing. Today, Assam is not only retaining its talent but also drawing fresh investment and expertise from across India and beyond.
Assam has traditionally been known for its tea gardens, petroleum industry, and handloom sector. However, large-scale industrialisation had remained a challenge due to geographical constraints, insurgency, and inadequate infrastructure. With Advantage Assam 2.0, the focus is on repositioning Assam from a resource-exporting state to a manufacturing and industrial hub.
The biggest shift has been in perception. Investors and industry leaders now see Assam as the gateway to Southeast Asia rather than an isolated economic pocket. With India’s Act East Policy in full swing, Assam plays a pivotal role in fostering trade relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan. The development of industrial corridors, logistics hubs, and multi-modal connectivity is further making Assam an attractive destination for industries reliant on seamless supply chains.
Progressive policies at both state and central levels have been instrumental in Assam’s industrial growth. The state's Assam Industrial & Investment Policy has facilitated smooth industrial expansion, while the central government’s Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme (UNNATI-2024) has added momentum.
Key incentives include tax exemptions and capital subsidies, easy access to credit, streamlined land acquisition and project approvals, and simplified regulatory processes to reduce bureaucratic delays. The Make in India initiative and Assam’s rising ease of doing business rankings have further strengthened the state’s appeal. Large corporations, including the TATA Group, have recognised this potential and are setting up operations, boosting investor confidence across various sectors.
Unlike many industrialised regions struggling with resource constraints, Assam enjoys vast tracts of land and abundant water resources. A high water table ensures an easily available and abundant water supply, crucial for industries such as food processing, textiles, and paper. Additionally, competitive land prices make Assam an attractive destination for manufacturing units, warehouses, and logistics hubs. Several industrial parks are being developed to provide a ready ecosystem for businesses to thrive.
For decades, Assam’s youth migrated elsewhere for employment, leaving behind their families and cultural roots. However, rapid industrialisation is reversing this trend. New job opportunities across sectors are allowing people to build careers within the state. Industries are not only creating direct employment but also fostering an ecosystem of ancillary businesses, including transport, retail, and services. The manufacturing sector, infrastructure development, and agro-processing industries are generating thousands of jobs for local workers, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Assam boasts a skilled yet non-unionised workforce, allowing businesses to operate smoothly without labour disruptions, further strengthening its attractiveness as an industrial hub.
In the past, investors were deterred by Assam’s infrastructure and connectivity challenges. Today, this scenario is changing at an unprecedented pace with significant government investments in new airport terminals, easing business travel, multiple flyovers and highways, improving road connectivity, bridges over the Brahmaputra, reducing travel time, enhanced rail networks, facilitating seamless goods transport, and inland water transport systems, leveraging Assam’s river network for trade efficiency. These infrastructural advancements are making industrial operations faster, cost-effective, and more efficient, directly contributing to Assam’s industrial boom.
A stable law-and-order environment is essential for attracting investment. Assam, once grappling with insurgency and political instability, has made remarkable progress in ensuring peace and security. This has renewed investor confidence, enabling businesses to operate without fear of disruptions. The improved security situation has also boosted tourism, hospitality, and retail industries, further contributing to the state’s economic growth.
Tourism is also emerging as a key economic driver, with Assam promoting its rich offerings in wildlife tourism, tea tourism, wedding tourism, and medical tourism. The state’s lush national parks and tea estates attract nature lovers and adventure seekers, while Assam’s unique cultural heritage and scenic locations make it an ideal wedding destination. Additionally, advancements in healthcare infrastructure are positioning Assam as a growing hub for medical tourism. The renewed central budget allocation for the UDAN scheme is set to further boost air connectivity, enhancing accessibility and fostering growth in these sectors.
Advantage Assam 2.0 is not just about showcasing the state’s strengths but actively shaping its future. The summit has positioned Assam as a land of opportunities, attracting corporate giants, MSMEs, and international investors who see long-term growth potential. With sustained policy support, strategic investments, and continued infrastructure development, Assam is well on its way to becoming the industrial heartbeat of Northeast India. The vision is clear: a self-sufficient Assam where businesses flourish, jobs are created, and the economy grows at an unprecedented rate.
Assam’s industrial transformation is no longer a distant dream—it is happening now. With Advantage Assam 2.0 leading the charge, the state is shifting from an exporter of raw materials to a manufacturing and business powerhouse. With pro-business policies, abundant resources, improved infrastructure, and a stable law-and-order environment, now is the perfect time for investors to be part of this growth story. As Assam rises as an industrial and economic leader, its people no longer need to seek opportunities elsewhere—the opportunities are now right here at home. The journey has begun, and the future looks brighter than ever. Advantage Assam is here to stay.
(The writer is Managing Director of the Lohia Group and President of FINER (Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region) and has been actively involved with the organisation for the past 15 years. All views and opinions expressed are author’s own)
