NEW DELHI, JUN 7 (PTI): The European Union (EU) is exploring a long-term trade and investment partnership with India’s North East, focusing on sectors such as green energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, tea and agri-food processing.
A high-level “Team Europe” delegation, led by EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin, will visit Guwahati on June 8-9 to strengthen economic cooperation with the eight North Eastern states.
The visit is part of the strategic agenda agreed upon during the EU-India Summit in January and aims to promote innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth in the region.
The delegation will hold talks with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while a business team led by the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) will engage with state officials to identify trade and investment opportunities.
On June 9, the team will participate in the “Blue Valleys: Building Ecosystems and Value Chains between India and Europe” workshop organised by the Assam government.
The visit will also witness the launch of Assam’s first Blue Valley Cluster, an industrial hub focused on fragrances, flavours and food processing. The cluster aims to connect Europe, Northeast India and Bhutan through innovation, sustainable manufacturing and business partnerships.
The delegation will also visit Tata Electronics’ semiconductor plant and explore opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable urban infrastructure, healthcare, electronics manufacturing, tea, agri-food processing and AYUSH.
Delphin said North East India, with its resources and skilled workforce, has enormous potential and is already among the fastest-growing regions of the country by GDP.
