Davos/Assam: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced major developments aimed at strengthening the state’s global engagement and boosting its agribusiness ecosystem, following a series of high-level meetings at the World Economic Forum (WEF).
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that during his meeting with the leadership team of the World Economic Forum, a decision was taken to establish a Centre of Excellence in Assam in collaboration with the WEF. The proposed centre will focus on a theme of both national and state importance, though specific details are expected to be announced later.
According to Sarma, the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Assam and the World Economic Forum. He stated that the collaboration would enable the state to continuously leverage key WEF platforms and assets, including the annual summits held in Davos and other global locations. The partnership is expected to enhance Assam’s visibility on the global stage and attract investment, innovation, and policy collaboration in priority sectors.
“We are also building a long-term partnership with this exceptional platform so Assam can continue to leverage from major WEF assets such as annual summits in Davos and elsewhere,” the Chief Minister said, highlighting the state’s intent to deepen international cooperation for sustainable development.
Separately, Sarma also held a meeting with senior leadership of global food and beverage major PepsiCo. In another post, the Chief Minister described his interaction with Mr Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, and Ms Caroline Berson, Vice President of the company, as highly fruitful.
During the meeting, Sarma conveyed the Assam government’s plan to ensure assured institutional credit for potato farmers in the state. He said the government is working towards an exclusive tripartite agreement involving the State Bank of India (SBI), PepsiCo, and the Government of Assam. The proposed arrangement aims to provide structured financial support to farmers, reduce credit risks, and strengthen the agricultural value chain.
The discussions also covered PepsiCo’s expansion plans in Assam. The Chief Minister and the company’s leadership reviewed the progress of PepsiCo’s Nalbari plant and explored ways to further enhance collaboration with the local farming community. Sarma said the state government is keen to facilitate closer engagement between large agribusiness companies and farmers to ensure stable markets, better income opportunities, and sustainable agricultural practices.
The meetings reflect Assam’s broader strategy to combine global partnerships with grassroots economic initiatives. While the proposed WEF Centre of Excellence is expected to drive policy innovation and international collaboration, the engagement with PepsiCo underscores the government’s focus on strengthening agribusiness, farmer welfare, and industrial growth within the state.
Together, these initiatives signal Assam’s efforts to position itself as a forward-looking state that actively engages with global institutions and multinational companies to drive inclusive and sustainable development.
