HT Digital,
Guwahati, Jan 22 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged India’s tea industry to expand its export reach as geopolitical tensions disrupt established markets, while positioning Assam as an emerging destination for technology and manufacturing investments at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Sarma said Russia and Iran, long considered key destinations for Assam tea, have become difficult markets amid global uncertainties. He described the disruption as temporary but stressed the need to look beyond familiar buyers. Highlighting Assam’s strong brand recall, particularly in Russia, he said entering new markets was now essential. Proposed free trade agreements with the United Kingdom and the European Union, he added, have come at an opportune moment for the Indian tea industry.
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Beyond tea, the Chief Minister used the global platform to showcase Assam’s ambitions in advanced technology, particularly semiconductors. Over the past three days, he met several major players from the global semiconductor ecosystem, including IBM, Synopsys and Qualcomm, signalling the state’s intent to attract large scale investments in the sector.
A focused meeting with IBM Vice President Gary Cohn explored possible collaboration in skill development, artificial intelligence and technology adoption. IBM is expected to send a delegation to Assam soon to assess opportunities on the ground.
Sarma also held discussions with Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran, describing the group’s presence in Assam as a key factor drawing wider investor interest. According to him, Tata’s involvement has helped strengthen confidence among global investors looking at the state.
Another major engagement was a roundtable with senior leaders from companies such as Synopsys, Qualcomm, Analog Devices, Thermo Fisher, Honeywell and Henkel. Talks centred on semiconductor manufacturing, diversified supply chains and potential partnerships in Assam, with the Chief Minister noting strong interest from industry leaders.
On India’s broader investment narrative, Sarma said the country has moved beyond a growth model led by only a few states. With regions like Assam stepping forward, he said, India is now presenting a more balanced and inclusive economic story to the world.
