Guwahati, June 8: A high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan Herve Delphin arrived in Assam on Sunday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and exploring investment opportunities across the Northeast.
Speaking to the media upon his arrival in Guwahati, Delphin expressed appreciation for Assam and said he was looking forward to a series of engagements during the visit. “As the slogan says, Gateway to Goodness. I really like this place. I look forward to the meetings we are going to have with the Chief Minister,” he said.
The “Team Europe” delegation comprises ambassadors and senior representatives from EU member states, along with European business leaders. The visit is aimed at advancing collaboration between the European Union and the northeastern states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
According to officials, discussions during the visit will focus on key sectors with strong potential for cooperation, including renewable and green energy, sustainable urban infrastructure, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and electronics manufacturing, tea and agri-food processing, flavours and fragrances, and AYUSH.
The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while a separate business delegation led by the Federation of European Business in India will engage with state officials to explore trade and investment opportunities.
A key highlight of the visit will be the “Blue Valleys: Building Ecosystems and Value Chains between India and Europe” workshop, where European and Indian businesses will deliberate on partnerships in sustainable industries, innovation and value chain development.
The visit will also see the launch of Assam’s first Blue Valley Cluster, an industrial hub focused on fragrances, flavours, food processing and AYUSH products, aimed at linking Europe, Northeast India and Bhutan through innovation and sustainable manufacturing collaboration.
Officials further said the delegation is expected to visit the Tata Electronics semiconductor facility, highlighting Assam’s growing role in India’s emerging high-tech manufacturing landscape.
