Japan is a natural partner in Assam’s pursuit of growth and development: CM

On the first day of his second leg of global outreach initiative in Japan for Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today met over 160 Japanese business leaders in Tokyo. He presented Assam’s economic miracle and ease of doing business by reiterating Assam’s increasing role as a catalyst to take the strong economic bond between India and Japan to a greater height.

It may be noted that Chief Minister Dr. Sarma who is on a three-day tour to Japan, after the successful culmination of his South Korea tour, to woo Japanese industrialists and trade bodies, today attended a road show at Tokyo where he presented Assam’s economy, its investment ecosystem and business friendly policies.

He said that since 2014, Assam’s economy is on robust growth trajectory. The state’s GDP surged from  USD 29 billion in 2013-14 to USD 68.7 billion in 2023-24, with an impressive annual growth rate of 12.4 per cent making Assam a beacon of peace and development.Dr. Sarma inviting attention of the industrialists and potential investors to Assam’s positive and investors’ friendly landscape said that the single window mechanism of USD 3.2 billion production linked incentives has made Assam a preferred end for investment.

Dr. Sarma also said that in recent years, Assam has taken giant strides in ensuring large scale investments to the state. The Chief Minister moreover portrayed that Japan is a natural partner in Assam’s pursuit of growth and development. Therefore, participation of Japanese industrialists, investors and entrepreneurs in the forthcoming Advantage Assam 2.0, Investment and Infrastructure Summit besides fostering stronger ties with Japan would turn out to be a win-win business interface for mutual benefits of both Assam and Japan.

The Chief Minister during the road show also highlighted Assam’s robust infrastructure, seamless connectivity and vibrant academic environment positioning the state as a promising investment destination. Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unstinted support to Assam’s ambitions of being a premier industrial State to ensure holistic growth of the State, Dr. Sarma highlighted the opportunities created by the Act East Policy of the Central government in Assam. 

Earlier, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma held an all-important meeting with Mr. Kazuya Nakajo, Executive Vice President of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). It may be noted that JETRO is playing an important role in promoting trade between Japan and global companies. Therefore, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma sought JETRO’s expertise in enhancing collaboration between Japan and Assam in trade, commerce and industry to enable mutual growth. His discussion with Nakajo focussed on strengthening trade relations and exploring JETRO’s expertise in fostering collaboration between Assam and Japan in trade, commerce and industry to pave the way for mutual growth.

Dr. Sarma during his visit also met State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan Koga Yuichiro San in Tokyo and conveyed Assam’s readiness to establish a business park dedicated to Japanese firms. During the meeting, he also requested the Minister to consider setting up testing centres for Technical Intern Training and Specified Skill Workers’ programme so that state’s youth have better access to short-term work opportunities in Japan.

Dr. Sarma also held a fruitful meeting with the Vice President of Hitachi Hirohide Hirai and talked on Assam’s ambitious target of renewable energy and how Assam can partner with Hitachi to attract investment for green energy projects. He also invited the Hitachi Vice President to Advantage Assam 2.0 summit and explore the opportunities in Assam.

The Chief Minister also met Vice President Renesas Global Charles Kawashima. While presenting the semiconductor facility being given shape in Jagiroad, Dr. Sarma said that the Tata Semiconductor facility would produce 48 million chips every day, making Assam a global hub for chip supply. He also requested Kawashima for ensuring Renesas become a partner in Assam’s semiconductor growth story. He also held a meeting with the CEO of Tokyo Engineering Corporation and extended his invitation to the CEO and other functionaries to Advantage Assam 2.0.

Before starting his engagements for Advantage Assam 2.0, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma paid tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Edogawa. Earlier, on his arrival, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma was accorded a warm welcome by the Assamese diaspora in Tokyo. He engaged in a cordial conversation with them, shared pleasantries and expressed his gratitude to them for extending the warm and heartfelt reception to him.