Guwahati, Jan 22: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has pitched the state as a prime destination for semiconductor investments during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, engaging with top global companies over the past three days.

On Wednesday, speaking at the Business Summit, Sarma said Assam had held discussions with leading players across the semiconductor ecosystem, including IBM, Qualcomm, and Tata Group.

During a special meeting, Sarma met IBM Vice President Gary Cohn to discuss skill development, AI adoption, and collaboration opportunities. IBM is set to send a delegation to Assam soon. He also met Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, noting that the group’s involvement had generated significant investor interest in the state.

A key highlight was a roundtable with executives from Synopsys, Qualcomm, Analog Devices, Thermo Fisher, Honeywell, and Henkel, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain diversification. These companies expressed strong interest in partnering with Assam.

Sarma emphasized Assam’s advantages, including policy clarity, infrastructure, a skilled workforce, its status as India’s fastest-growing state, and its strategic position as a gateway to the Northeast. He also projected potential investments worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore across semiconductors, green energy, and tourism.

Noting India’s evolving economic landscape, Sarma said forums like Davos now reflect a “whole of nation” approach, with more states, including Assam, representing India on the global stage.