Guwahati, January 23: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the state will establish a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), marking a significant step towards strengthening innovation, policy development, and investment promotion in the state.
The announcement followed a series of discussions between the Chief Minister and senior WEF leadership during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. According to the Chief Minister, the proposed Centre of Excellence will focus on a theme of strategic importance for both Assam and the nation, serving as a platform to promote research, policy formulation, innovation, and collaboration between government, industry, and academic institutions.
Dr. Sarma said Assam is also building a long-term partnership with the World Economic Forum that will enable the state to leverage major WEF platforms, including the annual Davos summit and other global events, to showcase Assam's economic progress, attract investments, and strengthen international partnerships.
In a separate series of meetings, the Chief Minister held discussions with PepsiCo executives, including CEO Eugene Willemsen and Vice President Caroline Berson, to explore opportunities for expanding the company's presence in Assam and strengthening linkages with the state's agricultural sector.
The discussions focused on enhancing support for potato farmers through an innovative tripartite agreement involving the State Bank of India (SBI), PepsiCo, and the Government of Assam. Under the proposed arrangement, eligible farmers would receive assured institutional credit, helping improve agricultural productivity, expand cultivation, and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
The leaders also reviewed the progress of PepsiCo's manufacturing facility in Nalbari and discussed future expansion plans, farmer engagement, and value-chain development aimed at increasing rural incomes.
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Highlighting Assam's growing appeal as an investment destination, the Chief Minister revealed that Advantage Assam 2 has received investment proposals worth ₹5 lakh crore, with projects worth approximately ₹3 lakh crore already under various stages of implementation. He attributed the strong investor response to Assam's rapid economic growth, business-friendly policies, improving infrastructure, regulatory stability, and skilled workforce.
Dr. Sarma said continued engagement with global institutions and industry leaders is helping Assam align its development strategy with international best practices, creating new opportunities for investment, employment generation, sustainable agriculture, and long-term economic growth.
