Assam is the largest economy in the northeast region. Owing to its relative proximity to the rest of the country and availability of quality infrastructure, the state offers a favourable environment for industry.
Assam has the largest tea-growing area in the world, constituting around one-seventh of the global tea production. In March 2023, tea production in the state stood at 33.49 million kgs, while in March 2022 it stood at 24.50 million kgs. It also has 20 industrial estates, three industrial growth centres, 11 Integrated Infrastructure Development Depots, 17 industrial areas, 12 growth centres, eight mini-industrial estates, one export promotion park and one food processing industrial park. Assam is also the most popular tourist destination among the northeast states. In September 2023, the estimated tea production in the state stood at 88.44 million kilograms. For FY23, the production stood at 698.38 million kgs.
At current prices, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam is estimated to be at Rs. 7,41,626 crore (US$ 86.93 billion) in FY26.
The GSDP increased at a CAGR of 12.51% between FY16 to FY26.
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDI inflow to the state totalled Rs. 175 crore (US$ 23.21 million) between April 2019-December 2024.
Exports from the state stood at Rs. 4,337 crore (US$ 505.09 million) in FY25 (Until Feb). The total tea exports from Assam accounted for Rs. 2,138 crore (US$ 248.20 million), which was 29.5% of the total exports.
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Assam had ~26.07 million wireless subscribers and 0.41 million wireline subscribers, as of December 2024.
To facilitate infrastructure support, the State Industries and Commerce Department has sponsored three projects as industrial growth centres at Chariduar, Matia and Chaygaon-Patgaon.
The Assam Government has approved 11 integrated infrastructure development centres across the state. Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government to promote Assam as an investment destination are:
- Under State Budget FY26:
- Rs. 9,703 crore (US$ 1.13 billion) has been allocated for capital outlay on roads and bridges.
- Rs. 8,553 crore (US$ 995.9 million) has been allocated for government primary schools and Rs. 6,665 crore (US$ 776.1 million) has been allocated as assistance to non-government secondary schools.
- Rs. 1,316 crore (US$ 153.2 million) has been allocated for urban health services – allopathy.
- Rs. 3,836 crore (US$ 446.7 million) has been allocated for rural health services – allopathy.
- Rs. 1,388 crore (US$ 161.6 million) and Rs. 1,464 crore (US$ 170.5 million) has been allocated for forestry and wildlife.
- The Ministry of Rural Development has approved 78 roads totaling 563.67 km and 14 bridges in Assam under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) - III, with an investment of Rs. 378.68 crore (US$ 45.41 million) to enhance rural connectivity and boost economic growth in the North-Eastern region.
- Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, announced an investment of more than Rs. 645 crore (US$ 77.64 million) for the development of 10 waterways projects in Assam, as part of the flagship Sagarmala program.
- Assam Chief Minister Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone of seven infrastructure projects, including a new Raj Bhavan and Guwahati Police Commissioner's office, worth Rs. 1,776 crore (US$ 216.9 million) in the state capital.
- Under the State Budget 2024-25, Rs. 23,227 crore (US$ 2.81 billion) was allocated for education, sports, art and culture.
- Under the State Budget 2024-25, Rs 6,650 crore (US$ 803.14 million) has been allocated for government primary schools and Rs 5,884 crore (US$ 710.63 billion) has been allocated for assistance to non-government secondary schools.
- To increase the quality of healthcare, five new medical colleges will be built in the state. At Bongaigaon, Behali and Sualkuchi, three new engineering colleges will be established. In Karbi Anglong, a state university will be constructed for students from hill districts under the State Budget 2021-22.
- According to Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state has 350 hectares of oil palm cultivation, covering Goalpara, Bongaigaon and Kamrup districts, which could be beneficial under the Union Government’s newly launched National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and Dibrugarh Airport are the most popular airports in the state. Aircraft movement from Guwahati and Dibrugarh airports stood at 30,049 and 5,738, respectively, in 2022-23 (until February 2022). Passenger traffic at Guwahati and Dibrugarh airports in 2022-23 (until February 2022) was at 2,760,778 and 462,397 respectively. Freight handled at Guwahati and Dibrugarh airports stood at 20,028 MT and 927 MT, respectively, during the same period.
- The Government has set a target to generate 6,500 MW of power in the state by 2030.
- State Cattle and Buffalo Breeding Policy 2020 - To achieve maximum levels of productivity from low-productive cattle, cross-breeding/interbreeding with the recognised dairy breed was done.
- Under the ‘Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan’ (CTDP) for the North-eastern region, the Union Cabinet approved the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme to provide mobile coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and two districts of Assam, namely Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
