UAE Ambassador Explores Economic Cooperation Opportunities with Assam Chief Minister
Focus on Trade, Logistics, Tourism, and Innovation Under CEPA Framework
GUWAHATI- In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at boosting regional economic ties, Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India, paid an official visit to Assam on Monday. The visit aimed to explore avenues for bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and development, particularly in the context of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
During his visit, Ambassador Alshaali held a high-level meeting with Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to discuss partnership opportunities across key sectors including agriculture and food processing, education, innovation, logistics, connectivity, and sustainable tourism.
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“Assam is a key gateway to Northeast India and offers immense potential for partnership with the UAE. It was a pleasure to exchange views with Chief Minister Sarma on how we can unlock this potential. The UAE is committed to supporting Assam’s growth and development,” said Ambassador Alshaali.
One of the focal points of discussion was Assam’s Jogighopa Multimodal Logistics Park, a strategic infrastructure initiative integrating road, rail, and inland waterways to enhance regional and international connectivity. Both sides acknowledged its role in boosting cross-border trade between India, the UAE, and Southeast Asia.
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The discussions also emphasized Assam’s alignment with the UAE-India CEPA, signed on 18 February 2022, which has already driven significant growth in bilateral trade. The CEPA has helped nearly double trade volumes between the two nations—from USD 43.3 billion in FY 2020–21 to USD 83.7 billion in FY 2023–24, with non-oil trade alone reaching USD 57.8 billion.
With a target of USD 100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030, both parties expressed interest in leveraging CEPA to expand collaboration in sectors such as textiles, wellness, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, handlooms, and handicrafts, where Assam holds competitive advantages.
The visit marked a positive step toward integrating Assam into broader UAE-India economic corridors, highlighting the state’s growing strategic and economic significance within India’s Act East policy and the global South-South cooperation framework.
