Advantage Assam 2.0 – Key Highlights, Objectives & Impact on Investment Growth

 

Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025

Context:
The Government of Assam hosted the Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment and Infrastructure Summit on February 25–26, 2025, in Guwahati. This global event aimed to position Assam as a key investment hub under the Act East Policy by leveraging its geographical proximity to Southeast Asia.
Economic Context and Growth Indicators:

GSDP Growth (2023-24): 19.5% YoY increase


Projected GSDP for 2024-25: ₹6,43,089 crore (13% increase)


Per Capita Income (2023-24): ₹1,35,787 (123% rise over 5 years)
Key Outcomes of the Summit:


Total Investment Commitments: ₹4.91 lakh crore


MoUs Signed:


270 MoUs worth ₹2.75 lakh crore


1,921 local-level MoUs worth ₹5,851 crore


Participation: 14,500+ attendees from 76 countries


Major Corporates: Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Vedanta, Tata Group (₹1.25 lakh crore combined investment)
Sectoral Focus Areas:


Hydrocarbons and Mining


Information Technology and Digital Economy


Agriculture, Horticulture, and Food Processing


Power and Green Energy


Tourism and Hospitality


Education and Healthcare


Defense and Aerospace Manufacturing


Semiconductors and Electronics
Infrastructure Development:
Road and Connectivity Projects (₹80,000 crore):


Guwahati Ring Road – ₹5,800 crore


Four-Lane Highway to Panchgram – ₹25,000 crore


Kaziranga Elevated Corridor – ₹6,000 crore


Underwater Brahmaputra Tunnel – ₹15,000 crore


Jagiroad–Bhutan Corridor – ₹3,225 crore
Inland Waterways Modernization (₹4,800 crore):


Harit Nauka Scheme: Greening river transport


Water Metro Projects: Guwahati & Dhubri


River Terminals and Jetties: Bogibeel, Jogighopa, Silghat


Regional Maritime Research Centre at Dibrugarh
Startup and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem:


Startup Assam Initiative:


Digital platform, state-owned incubators, and financial incentives


Boneej Scheme: Seed funding and mentorship


Sarothi Scheme: Loans up to ₹10 lakh with 5% interest subvention


Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Asoni (2025):


₹4,000 crore for SHG women entrepreneurs


Target: 40 lakh women to earn ₹1 lakh annually


Other Schemes:


Kalapataru, CM Self Employment Scheme, Orunodoi (for women empowerment), Nijut Moina (for girls' education)
District-Level Investment Highlights:


Goalpara: ₹63.33 crore; ₹200 crore pledged for electronics


Golaghat: ₹1,900 crore in agro, textiles, handloom


Sonitpur: ₹231.63 crore; 1,000+ employment opportunities


Tinsukia: ₹269.75 crore; focus on e-rickshaw manufacturing


Cachar: ₹299.865 crore; 2,000+ jobs projected


Lakhimpur: ₹97.06 crore + NABARD-supported farming initiatives


Morigaon: Focus on IT education and SME promotion
Key Central Government Support and Announcements:

Union Minister Piyush Goyal:


Emphasized “Outcome-Oriented” nature of the summit


Announced a Permanent Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre in Guwahati


Promotion of Assam Tea and allocation of tourism/industrial hubs in competitive mode

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri:


Highlighted Assam’s contribution to India’s energy security:


15% of crude oil production


14% of natural gas production


New Research Facility on IOCL campus for waste-to-energy


Green hydrogen recognized as a strategic sector
Healthcare Sector Investments:


Medanta Medicity (₹1,050 crore) – 500-bed multispecialty hospital


Lilawati Foundation (₹250 crore) – Tertiary care hospital


Virinchi and Peerless Hospitals – Expansion of regional healthcare


AI-Based Health Monitoring – Fischer Medical Ventures
Education and Skill Development:


Collaborations: Singapore Ministry of Trade, Japanese Language Institutes


Assam Skill University: New training programs in healthcare and hospitality


New Universities: Human Potential Development Science Infotech, Gaveshna University
Green Energy and Industrial Expansion:


Matheson Hydrogen Pvt Ltd – ₹1,500 crore green hydrogen plant


UltraTech Cement & Star Cements – Expansion of cement capacity (₹3,900 crore total)
Tourism and Conservation Initiatives:


Luxury Hotels: JB Marriott, eco-resorts in Kaziranga


Tea Tourism: Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt Ltd


Wildlife Conservation: MoU with Global Tiger Forum under Amrit Kaal Tiger Vision
Strategic and Policy Relevance:


Act East Policy Implementation: Assam as the gateway to Southeast Asia


Inclusive Growth: Focus on SHGs, MSMEs, women, and youth


Environmental Sustainability: Eco-friendly shipping, renewable energy, tourism


Public-Private Partnership (PPP): In infrastructure, healthcare, education, and skilling

 
Conclusion:

Advantage Assam 2.0 marks a paradigm shift in Assam's economic trajectory, signaling the state's emergence as a strategic, sustainable, and investor-friendly region in Northeast India. The summit aligns with the broader goals of regional development, economic inclusion, and global connectivity, making Assam a critical player in India's growth story under the Act East Policy framework.