"Assam offers something unique to the country": MEA Secretary Sibi George amid EU delegation visit
Guwahati, June 10
Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Sibi George said that Assam was emerging as a key hub of opportunity and was attracting significant global interest, particularly from investors and companies.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, George said, "If you look at India's policies towards the East, we initially had Look East, which we got transformed into Act East. There is tremendous progress in our engagement with the rest of the world under that particular concept...One of the important areas of cooperation is Assam. Assam offers something unique to the country, and that is generating a lot of interest in companies to come here."
A high-level "Team Europe" delegation of the European Union visited Guwahati on June 8-9 to explore collaboration opportunities with all Northeastern states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin, as part of the delegation today. The visit was aimed at deepening trade ties, exploring investment opportunities, and strengthening commercial partnerships between European markets and Northeast India.
The engagement comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Brussels to advance cooperation under the India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda launched earlier this year. With its strategic location, rich natural resources, and growing industrial base, Northeast India is increasingly attracting global investors.
Addressing the press conference after meeting the European delegation in the state's capital, the CM added that Assam has surpassed India in terms of growth, which will support investors.
"India is growing at 29 per cent, and Assam is growing at 45 per cent. So that is the speed, that is the momentum we have, I think our economic growth trajectory will support the investor who will come to Assam to invest," Sarma said.
On the backdrop of the state's achievements in the last five years, Sarma sees a bigger growth trajectory for Assam.
"I see a bigger momentum in the next five years. What we have achieved in the last five years, in the next five years, the momentum will be much faster," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great initiative, but let's not forget the local communities. Development should benefit the Assamese people, not just big corporations. Hope the state government ensures that small businesses and farmers also get a slice of this pie.
As someone from Guwahati, I can say this is long overdue. Our city has so much potential—tea, tourism, handlooms, and now tech. The EU delegation visiting is a big step. Just hope the execution matches the hype. Infrastructure needs serious upgrading though.
Nice to see Assam making headlines for growth rather than just floods or conflicts. The Act East policy is truly opening doors. Hope the EU partnership focuses on sustainable development—Assam's biodiversity is priceless. 🌿
45% growth is impressive, but we need to ensure it's inclusive. The real test will be whether villages in Upper Assam and the Barak Valley see the benefits too. Plus, environmental safeguards must be non-negotiable.
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