Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma left for Switzerland on January 18 to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, becoming the first leader from Assam to participate in the influential global summit. The five-day event, scheduled from January 19 to 23, 2026, will bring together political leaders, top corporate executives, economists and heads of major international financial institutions from across the world.
Before boarding a flight to Zurich shortly after midnight, Sarma shared his optimism on social media, stating that Assam’s ambitions were gaining momentum and that he looked forward to productive discussions aimed at strengthening the state’s growth trajectory. His participation marks a notable shift in India’s representation at Davos, as traditionally only more industrially advanced states were showcased at the forum. Assam’s inclusion this year reflects growing recognition of the state’s economic progress and reform-driven governance.
During the summit, Sarma is scheduled to hold over 17 high-level meetings and is expected to sign several memoranda of understanding. His engagements will focus on attracting global investment in areas such as workforce development for future industries, tourism potential estimated at multi-trillion-dollar scale, healthcare expansion and technology-led growth. The chief minister is also set to present Assam’s industrial roadmap, governance reforms and infrastructure initiatives to international investors.
The visit comes on the heels of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, which generated significant interest among domestic investors. The state government hopes that the exposure at Davos will further enhance foreign investment inflows and open new economic opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Assam’s delegation is also expected to explore collaborations in advanced manufacturing, including semiconductor-related sectors, while highlighting progress across agriculture, industry, services and innovation. With India drawing increased global attention due to its rapid economic growth, Assam aims to position itself as one of the country’s emerging growth engines.
Established in 1971, the World Economic Forum is a non-profit organisation best known for hosting the annual Davos meeting, one of the world’s most prominent platforms for global economic dialogue. This year’s conference has participation from nearly 50 countries and will focus on issues ranging from geopolitics and education to technology, financial policy and investment strategies.
