Assam could attract investment proposals worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore following high-level discussions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, with Guwahati positioned as the state’s primary industrial and technology hub, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the global summit in Davos, Sarma said conversations with global investors have moved well beyond semiconductors to include green energy, tourism, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies sectors expected to anchor future growth centred around Guwahati.
Guwahati projected as Assam’s investment nerve centre
While pitching Assam as a gateway to the Northeast, the Chief Minister highlighted Guwahati’s growing role as the state’s economic and logistics nucleus.
According to Sarma, proposed investments discussed at Davos are likely to translate into:
- Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing clusters around Guwahati
- AI-driven skill development and technology centres
- Green energy and sustainable infrastructure projects linked to the city
“Guwahati offers the infrastructure base, connectivity and talent pool global investors look for,” he said, adding that the city is fast emerging as the state’s launchpad for high-value industries.
Meetings with global tech giants
During the three-day summit, Sarma held meetings with senior executives from major technology firms, including IBM, Synopsys and Qualcomm.
The Chief Minister said these companies were briefed on Assam’s:
- Investor-friendly policies
- Availability of land and industrial infrastructure near Guwahati
- Expanding skilled workforce and academic ecosystem
He noted that most global players in the semiconductor value chain had been engaged during the summit, signalling growing confidence in Assam’s industrial roadmap.
IBM delegation likely to visit Guwahati
On the third day of the WEF, Sarma held a focused meeting with Gary Cohn, Vice President of IBM, to explore collaboration in:
- Skill development programmes
- Artificial intelligence adoption
- Technology-driven governance initiatives
IBM is expected to send a delegation to Guwahati in the near future to assess partnership opportunities and on-ground readiness.
Why this matters for Guwahati
If the proposals discussed at Davos materialise, Guwahati stands to benefit through:
- Large-scale job creation
- Expansion of its technology and manufacturing base
- Increased demand for urban infrastructure, housing and services
Officials said the state government is now preparing follow-up engagements to convert investment interest into formal commitments, with Guwahati at the centre of execution.
What’s next
Further rounds of talks are expected once investor teams visit Assam. The state government is likely to prioritise projects that can be anchored in and around Guwahati, leveraging its connectivity, institutions and administrative capacity.
Our Guwahati will continue to track how these global investment talks translate into on-ground projects for the city.