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Government Of Assam Industries & Commerce Commissionerate of Industries & Commerce

Invest in Assam: A Comprehensive Guide to investing

Why Invest in Assam

GDP Growth :

State’s GDP growth at 8%

Assam's per capita GDP is 6,756 at constant prices

Largest economy of the North-East

It is the largest economy of the North East India and is rapidly making strides towards employment generation and inclusive growth by a balanced pattern of industrial investment. The sectoral contribution to the NSDP (Net State Domestic Product) reveals that in Assam more than 30 per cent of the contribution is from agriculture and allied activities. This is much higher than the sector’s contribution to India’s GDP.

The economy of the State in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at factor cost is expected to attain a growth rate of 7.97 per cent at constant (1999-2000) prices as per Advance Estimates in 2007-08 as against the growth rate of 7.57 per cent estimated as per Quick Estimates. The growth rate of 7.97 per cent in GSDP has been expected mainly due to the considerable growth rates of (over 4 percent) in the sectors of ‘Manufacturing’, ‘Electricity, Gas & Water Supply’, ‘Transport’, ‘Storage and Communication’, ‘Banking & Insurance’, ‘Public Administration’ and ‘Other Services’. The Primary Sector including ‘Agriculture’ (2.29%) is likely to show a growth rate of around 2.00 per cent which is lower than the previous year’s growth of 2.79 per cent. In Secondary Sector, growth expected is 3.70 per cent as against 5.15 per cent in 2006-07 while the Service Sector growth is likely to attain the level of 13.06 per cent in Advance Estimates as against the 11.60 per cent achieved during 2006-07 as per Quick Estimates. At current prices, a growth of 11.79 per cent is expected in 2007-08 (Advance Estimated) as against 13.02 per cent growth recorded in the previous year. As per Advance Estimates the Per Capita Income is expected to reach the level of Rs.16624 at constant (1999-2000) prices and Rs.22081 at current prices as against previous year’s Per Capita Income of Rs.15623 and Rs.20166 at constant (1999-2000) prices and at current prices respectively. A growth of 6.40 per cent and 9.50 per cent is expected in real term (Base 1999-2000) and at current prices as compared to the previous year 2006-07. As per Quick Estimates of 2006-07 the growth rate in Per Capita Income is worked out at 5.66 per cent at Constant (1999-2000) prices and 10.73 per cent at Current Prices. The state of economy as observed from the estimates of the State Domestic Product is encouraging and in better position than before.

Natural Resources

Assam is the largest producer of tea in India.

The state accounts for about 15 per cent of India’s crude oil output from the wells at Digboi, Duliajan, and Sivasagar.

Producer of natural gas accounting for about 50 per cent of India’s total onshore production

Vast natural resources such as oil, natural gas and minerals, hydro energy, diverse agro-climatic zones, forest resources and medicinal plants makes the region the best choice for investors.

Locational Advantage :

Assam is the Gateway to the North Eastern States and so is well placed to serve the needs and markets of other states of the North East.

Its geographical location is advantageous for foreign trade with neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, China etc.

Access to large markets of mainland India, South & South East Asia, ASEAN, SAARC and including fastest developing economies in the world.

Proximity to SAARC countries of Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh gives foreign investors the advantage of International Trade.

Favourable demography

Guwahati, the major city of the Region is well connected with all metro cities of the country by Road, Air and rail .

State within the region is well connected with State and National Highways.

The 4 lane East-West Corridor passes through the region. Asian Highway No-1 connected from Moreh ( Manipur), passes through the State and Dawki ( Meghalaya) and connect Bangladesh.

1983 kms of Navigable waterways within the state. River Brahmaputra declared as 2nd National Waterways and River Barak as 6th National Waterways. River Brahmaputra connect to West Bengal via Bangladesh under River Protocol No-1 and River Brahmaputra is connected with River Barak via Bangladesh under River Protocol No-3. River Ports area located along the River Brahmaputra & Barak. Pandu, Guwahati and Karimganj designated as Ports of Call.

Broad gauge Railway link up to Ledo, Silapathar and Silchar.

Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Amingaon.

Infrastructure

Several Industrial Growth Centres, IID Projects, Industrial Parks etc. have already been established in almost all the districts of the State.

Open land of 80 lakh sq. m. have already been developed and so far 32 lakh sq. m. have been allotted to various Industrial Projects in the State.

The Rs. 5460 crores Assam Gas Cracker Project with joint venture of GAIL, NRL, OIL, and Govt. of Assam which is scheduled to be complete within 2012 will generate lot of investment opportunities for polymer based industries and engineering industries in petro chemical sector

The remaining 48 lakh sq. m. or 1000 acres of developed land is available today. Besides readymade industrial sheds, the Department is in possession of huge plots of fully developed open land ready for allotment to the prospective parties interested in establishing their industries in different locations in the State.

Availability of man power.

Availability of skilled and cheap man power.

A vast human resource base skilled, semi-skilled, educated manpower, large number of English speaking people at extremely competitive cost

Policies

A tax free zone

Series of Incentives for Manufacturing and Services sector under Central/State policies.

The growing investment climate coupled with comprehensive central investment policy for NER (NEIIPP 2007) and liberalised Assam State Industrial policy 2008 provides attractive incentives/ subsidies for attracting investment in the region.

Special tax incentives for Export Oriented Units (EOUs) and potential for investment in key infrastructure areas.