Guwahati : The first ever investment promotion and facilitation initiative by the Assam government, ‘Advantage Assam – Global Investors’ Summit, 2018’ saw Rs 64, 386 crore worth of Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) being signed on the first day of the summit, which witnessed the luminaries of Indian business fraternity descending on the most talked about investment summit in the largest economy of North-Eastern India.
A total of 176 MoUs with 160 companies amounting to Rs 64,386 crore were signed in the first day the mega event held in Guwahati.
The North Eastern Indian state showcased today to the world how it is rapidly taking strides towards employment generation and inclusive growth through a balanced pattern of industrial investment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had inaugurated the 2-day long summit applauded the consistent determination by the Assam government led by Assam Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal, for being the guiding force behind charting out a growth story for the state.
As Assam embarks upon a new chapter, laying emphasis on new capital formation through business and industrial development, it received overwhelming support and appreciation from the champions of the industry.
Among the signed MoUs, Oil India will invest Rs 10,000 crore, Indo-UK Institute of Health to invest Rs 2,700 crore, Century Ply has shared plans of investing Rs 2,100 crore, Spicejet outlined plans of Rs 1,250 crore worth of investment for Assam through sea planes boosting the tourism sector besides connecting Lakhimpur and Jorhat under the Udaan Scheme.
Infinity Group will invest Rs 1,000 crore in an IT Park and Real Estate in Guwahati, Medanta Group shared their proposal of Rs 500 crore investment in the Healthcare sector, Essel Infra group will invest in Road Infra, Power and Water Resource.
Dalmia Bharat Cement announced an investment attuned to Rs 1,100 crore.
Tourism sector which is one of the key focus areas of the Assam government saw an investment proposal in concurrence of around Rs 736 crore.
Infrastructure sector a prime determinant of progress saw a total investment proposal worth Rs 2,347 crore.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani spoke at length about sustainable livelihood opportunity, Reliance Jio’s per capita data usage in Assam is the highest in India. Jio will be opening new offices in the State as it aims Reliance has already invested Rs 5000 crore in Assam and over the next three years will invest additional Rs 2,500 crore.
Knowing the passion towards football in the state, Indian Super League run by IMG Reliance wishes to set up a top class football academy in partnership with Government of Assam.
Reliance Foundation will establish a University in Assam to promote wildlife protection and eco-tourism in a sustainable manner.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said that the company is working with Assam Government for cancer hospital facilities and plans to touch nearly two million lives in Assam.
President, FICCI, Rashesh Shah, MD, Mcleod Russell India Ltd, MD, Century Plyboards Ltd, Sajjan Bhajanka, CMD, Spicejet, Ajay Singh, CEO, Patanjali, Acharya Balakrishnan, MD, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Dilip Sanghvi, Chairman, Tata Sons also spoke on the occasion.
Foreign delegates and ministers who attended the summit were Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, spoke at length about Indo-Bhutan bilateral ties and the opening of the Royal Bhutanese Consulate in Guwahati.
He pointed out that Advantage Assam means Advantage Bhutan.
Others who were present were Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan, Amir Hossain Amu, Minister of Industries, Bangladesh, Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister of Economic Affairs, Bhutan, Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism Cambodia, Ounethoang Khaophanh, Vice Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, Government of Laos, Dr. Than Myint, Minister of Commerce Myanmar, Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam, Union ministers including Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Information Technology, Law and Justice, SDharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Assam and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister Finance, Assam, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern
Region, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home took part in the proceedings of the opening day.
The Summit will be witnessing primary focus on sectors such as Agriculture and Food processing, Handloom, Textile and Handicraft, Tourism, Hospitality and Wellness, Plastics and Petrochemicals, Power, Pharmaceutical and Medical devices, Heavy Industries, Inland Water Transport, Port Township and River Front Development and IT & ITeS.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
