Guwahati: Assam’s ambitions to become a semiconductor hub took center stage at the fifth India-Japan Intellectual Conclave, which commenced in Guwahati on February 6.
The two-day event, focused on strengthening technological and economic partnerships between India and Japan, saw key discussions on the state’s emerging semiconductor sector and its potential to attract Japanese investment.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the strategic importance of the upcoming semiconductor assembly plant in Jagiroad, highlighting its potential to anchor a broader ecosystem of related industries.
Addressing delegates, he stated, “Indian and Japanese industries can collaborate to build a strong ecosystem that taps into the potential of the semiconductor sector in the region.”
Sarma later took to social media to underscore Assam’s growing ties with Japan. “I had the pleasure to interact with H.E. ONO Keiichi, the Ambassador of Japan to India, along with a delegation of Japanese business leaders at the 5th Japan-India Intellectual Conclave. I reiterated our intention to set up a Japanese Industrial Park in Assam and explore short-term opportunities for our skilled workforce in Japan,” he posted.
The conclave, themed “Kizuna: Co-creating Ecosystems for Change,” was organized by Asian Confluence in partnership with the Japanese Embassy and India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The event brought together industry experts, policymakers, and business leaders to explore avenues for collaboration in technology, education, and logistics.
Drawing from his recent visit to Japan, where he toured the Micron Memory Fab facility, Sarma highlighted Assam’s advantages for Japanese investment. “Assam possesses several core strengths that can drive meaningful cooperation between the two regions,” he said, identifying green energy, tourism, and information technology as priority sectors for bilateral cooperation.
He also pointed out that bilateral trade between India and Japan reached $22.9 billion in 2023, with around 1,500 Japanese companies operating in India. Additionally, he noted deep cultural ties between the two nations, with over 40,000 Indians currently residing in Japan and more than 15,000 Japanese citizens living in India.
Japanese Ambassador ONO Keiichi, along with a high-level delegation, attended the event. Earlier in the day, the delegation visited the semiconductor project site at Jagiroad in Morigaon district, reflecting growing Japanese interest in Assam’s technological development.
The conclave comes ahead of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, which is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sarma used the platform to invite Japanese investors and industrialists to participate in the upcoming summit, reinforcing Assam’s position as an emerging hub for advanced manufacturing and global investment.
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