Assam - India's Gateway to the East
Geostrategic location and connectivity
Assam is surrounded by seven states and two countries - Bangladesh and Bhutan not only makes it ready to meet the import demand of neighbours but also paves its way to serve as a golden door to explore opportunities in Southeast Asia.
It boasts 15 national highways, with the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway passing through it. As Assam is the centerstage of 1.88 billion consumers in ASEAN and BBIN markets, The ASEAN Highway, a key project, will seamlessly link Assam with the rest of India and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations and BBN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal) nations.
Along with the largest inland waterways networks of about 1980 km of navigable waterways,305 Railway stations and seven airports, including Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, catering to 3.8 million passengers annually. It is an emerging connectivity hub with Multimodal parks being developed to integrate with global and regional value chains, further contributing to the overall state progress & development of Assam.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING
Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the rural development of Assam by making a contribution to its domestic sectors, accounting for more than 1/3 of the state's income and employing about 69% of the workforce.
Assam holds the title of India's largest tea producer, accounting for around 50% of India's and 1/7th of Global tea production.
Adding to its bag of agricultural achievements, it is also ranked 2nd in the production of pineapple and 3rd in the production of jute in India and has 8 GI-tagged food products.
MINERALS AND ALLIED PRODUCTS
Assam is not just a land adorned with natural beauty but also a powerhouse when it comes to energy, as it is India’s leading producer of natural gas and onshore crude oil, accounting for 15% of India's crude output.
Delving deeper into Industrial development progress in Assam, it is home to India's oldest operating oil refinery, which is situated in Digboi, and more than 100 oil fields. The numbers speak volumes, as it has 1.3 billion metric tons of proven reserves, four refineries with a capacity of 7.1 MMTPA, and 156 billion cubic meters of proven natural gas reserves.
The chemical and plastic sectors are also blooming, with the potential to become key sources of raw materials. The deposits of clay and limestone can provide the impetus for a thriving ceramic industry.
TOURISM
Assam and its picturesque landscape with "blue hills and red rivers" let you experience nature in its pure form as it is home to 7 national parks and 11 wildlife sanctuaries, of which two are Unesco sites: the Kaziranga National Park and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. From an unforgettable cruising experience in the tranquillity of the Brahmaputra to the serenity of lush 1000+ tea gardens and 10+ golf courses to delve into spirituality at Kamakhya Temple or find solace at treehouses and tea eco camps, Assam has something for everyone.
SERICULTURE
Silk isn't just a fabric here; it's a legacy woven with innovation and tradition contributing to sustainable development in Assam. It holds the global crown of Muga silk, accounting for around 95 per cent of global Muga production, and it is also one of the major Eri silk producers, accounting for 65 per cent of the country’s Eri silk production.
Assam has 2 sericulture technological information centres, 13 Muga farms, and 26 Eri seed grainages to assist farmers with disease-free stock.
Sualkuchi-Assam Silk Village produces bulk silk textiles and is supported by government initiatives like NIFT.
Assam is beyond its scenic landscape. With an abundant pool of resources combined with its transparent and investor-friendly trade policies and favourable Ease of Doing Business environment, the state is in an advantageous position to foster economic development in the sectors highlighted above and emerging sectors like medical tourism and electric vehicles, as well as explore a multitude of opportunities with ASEAN and BBN countries.
