HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 12: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a keynote address to the delegates attending the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI) in Guwahati. This marks the first time that FICCI, established in 1927, has chosen Assam as the venue for its National Executive Committee Meeting.
Expressing his gratitude to FICCI for selecting Guwahati, chief minister Sarma expressed confidence that the event would contribute to the state’s ongoing economic growth trajectory. He emphasised that such gatherings align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Assam and the entire Northeast region. The choice of Guwahati as the meeting location also highlights the city’s emergence as the focal point of growth in the region.
Highlighting the transformation Assam has undergone, chief minister Sarma noted that turmoil, strife, and instability are now things of the past. The state has witnessed unprecedented peace, progress, and prosperity across all sectors since 2014. Statistical data supports Assam’s rapid advancement, and within two years, it is expected to surpass Punjab and become the 16th largest state in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The chief minister highlighted the substantial increase in public and capital expenditures, as well as the remarkable growth of the tourism sector.
The chief minister outlined the government’s efforts to establish an industry-friendly ecosystem in Assam, including the development of a customized industrial policy that caters to the specific needs of industries on a case-by-case basis. This departure from the current one-size-fits-all approach aims to attract investment and support industrial growth. Chief minister Sarma also emphasised the government’s commitment to transparency in governance, which has benefited the industrial sector as well.
Looking ahead, the chief minister expressed optimism that leading industrialists and businesses would leverage the opportunities presented by a resurgent Assam. He projected that Assam will soon be counted among the top 15 states across various sectors.
FICCI president Subhrakant Panda, vice president Harsh V Agarwal, secretary general Shailesh Pathak, and FICCI Northeast Advisory Council chairman Ranjit Borthakur were also present at the event.
