Assam to Sign MoUs with Japan and Singapore at Advantage Assam 2.0, Announces CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government will sign two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Japan and Singapore during the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 investors summit.

The MoUs focus on manpower recruitment and academic collaboration. Sarma highlighted that Japan is interested in recruiting up to 50,000 workers from Assam, with plans to expand the number in the future. He also mentioned that Japan will send around 20 professors to Assam, where a language testing centre will be set up. Additionally, Singapore seeks to hire nurses from Assam, with 17 nurses already placed. Sarma expressed his satisfaction with the positive feedback from Singapore following his recent visit.

"This is a groundbreaking initiative for Assam's youth," said Sarma, adding that discussions during the summit will also explore dual degree programs between Assam’s universities and Japan, fostering stronger academic ties.

In a related development, Sarma revealed that Bhutan is developing a "Mindfulness City" in Gelephu, which is located just 8 kilometers from Assam. He suggested that the state may explore the possibility of establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the region.

The Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, is expected to attract high-profile participation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be part of thematic sessions, with other key Union Ministers, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashwini Vaishnav, and Piyush Goyal, also attending.

Sarma shared that 31 ambassadors from various countries have confirmed their participation. The event will also be attended by leading industrialists, including Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal, JSW Chairman Sajjan Jindal, and business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani.

The summit will focus on sectors like tourism, renewable energy, hydrocarbons, electronics, aerospace and defense manufacturing, and sustainable industries. With 7,000 registrations already received, the event is expected to be a key platform for fostering international collaboration and investment opportunities. Sarma also noted that roadshows conducted across Assam had successfully engaged thousands of local industrialists.

The summit has garnered participation from seven partner countries, with confirmations from Bhutan, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and others. Multilateral organizations, including the World Bank, the European Union, and the Asian Development Bank, are also expected to be represented.

ET