Guwahati, June 9: Assam on Tuesday took a major step towards deepening economic ties with Europe with the launch of the Blue Valley Cluster, a joint initiative with the European Union aimed at promoting investment, innovation and industry collaboration in sectors such as natural flavours, fragrances, AYUSH and food processing.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the initiative in Guwahati, describing it as a landmark outcome of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit and a new chapter in the growing partnership between Assam and Europe.
The launch was accompanied by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI), paving the way for greater collaboration between European and Indian businesses.
Speaking at the event, Sarma said the Blue Valley Cluster would help build integrated India-Europe value chains, foster innovation, expand market access and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, researchers and industries.
“Assam is emerging as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. The Blue Valley Cluster has the potential to place Assam at the heart of India-Europe collaboration by linking the state’s natural strengths with global value chains,” he said.
The initiative will focus on leveraging Assam’s rich biodiversity, natural ingredients and traditional wellness knowledge while attracting investment and technology partnerships from Europe.
Highlighting Assam’s investment climate, the Chief Minister said the state has facilitated over 2.5 million approvals through its single-window system, developed more than one lakh acres of industrial land and established 65 industrial estates to support industrial growth.
Sarma also pitched Assam as a future destination for cooperation in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
European Union Ambassador to India Herve Delphin, Belgium’s Ambassador to India Didier Vanderhasselt, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and representatives of European businesses attended the event.
Earlier in the day, Sarma held talks with Delphin and representatives of several European nations to explore deeper cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, culture, skill development, tea and renewable energy.
Officials said the Blue Valley Cluster is expected to serve as a platform for connecting European expertise with Assam’s growing industrial ecosystem, positioning the state as a key hub in the expanding India-European Union economic partnership.
Also Read: Meghalaya must adopt AI in schools, but needs partners to solve teacher gap: Rymbui
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
