The Export and Logistics Policy of Assam, 2019
30%
Capital Investment Subsidy (Cap ₹10 Cr)
20%
Air Freight Subsidy (Cap ₹50L/Yr)
50%
Quality Certification Subsidy (Cap ₹50L)
5 Years
Min. Post-Incentive Operational Continuity
Act East Gateway — Connecting Assam to Global Markets
Post-independence, Assam became land-locked, connected to mainland India through the narrow Siliguri 'chicken neck' corridor. Under the Act East Policy, this isolation is being converted into an advantage — Assam is positioned as the closest Indian landmass to the fast-growing South East Asian economies, sitting between the Indian mainland and ASEAN, SAARC and BIMSTEC markets.
Assam has about 3,740 km of National Highways, 2,434 km of broad-gauge rail, international air cargo connectivity, and Brahmaputra/Barak river-navigation routes. The policy aims to boost exports, strengthen export infrastructure, and streamline clearances for exporters.
| Key Parameter | Provision / Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Assam (Notification No. MI.63/2019/43) |
| Nodal Agency | Assam State Export Promotion Council (ASEPC) |
| Effective / Validity | 01.11.2019 · Valid for 5 years or till a new policy is declared |
| Local Employment Rule | Minimum 80% in Managerial Cadre and 90% in Non-Managerial Cadre must be people of Assam |
| Operational Lock-in | Minimum 5 years of continuous operations post-receipt of incentives; early closure triggers full recovery |
Target export sectors and strategic commodities
| Sector Group | Coverage & Products |
|---|---|
| Tea | Assam's largest traditional export (~630 million kg/annum across 761 big tea gardens & 1 lakh+ small growers). |
| Agro & Allied | Food processing, Floriculture, Organic farming, Bamboo products, Ornamental fishes & Pisciculture, Medicinal & Aromatic products. |
| Traditional | Sericulture (Eri, Muga, Mulberry), Bamboo, traditional Handloom & Handicraft products. |
| Hydrocarbon & Chemicals | Petroleum products (4 refineries), Plastics, Petrochemicals. |
| Industrial Goods | Cement, Steel, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Health & Personal Care products. |
| IT & Services | IT/ITES, Financial Services, FinTech, BPO, E-commerce. |
| Tourism & Health | Medical tourism, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Education. |
Five core financial incentive heads (Section 4)
| Incentive Head | Coverage | Subsidy Rate | Ceiling / Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Investment Subsidy (Infrastructure) | MMLP, Logistic Park, ICD, CFS, Air Cargo, CFC, Cold Storage, IQF, VHT, Quality Control Labs | 30% of eligible FCI | ₹10 Crore |
| Capital Subsidy (Reefer Vehicles) | Purchase of insulated, reefer transport / mobile pre-cooling units | 30% of cost | ₹1 Crore |
| Capital Subsidy (Primary Processing Centres) | Setting up Primary Processing Centres (PPC) for Agri-Horticulture produce | 30% of cost | ₹1 Crore |
| Quality Certification Subsidy | Organic certification, ISO, ZED, CODEX, FSSAI, and international quality standards | 50% of cost | ₹50 Lakh |
| Air Freight Subsidy | Air freight from Assam airports to foreign destinations for local-raw-material-based products | 20% of freight | ₹50 Lakh / annum (for 5 years) |
Freight Subsidy Restriction: Air Freight Subsidy is strictly restricted to products manufactured using locally available raw materials of Assam. Products using raw materials sourced from outside Assam are ineligible.
Eligibility criteria by export infrastructure asset class
| Facility Type | Minimum Land Requirement | Minimum FCI Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Logistic Park | Single stretch of 30 acres (min 3,00,000 sq ft built-up) | ₹30 Crore |
| Container Freight Station (CFS) / ICD | 10 acres | ₹30 Crore |
| Integrated Cold Chain / IQF / Lab | 1 acre | ₹10 Crore |
| Primary Processing Centre (PPC) | 1 Bigha | ₹1 Crore |
Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) includes plant & machinery, land, and building directly connected with export infrastructure. Excluded from FCI: land development costs, preliminary/pre-operative expenses, interest during construction, consultant fees, and working capital margin money.
Assam State Export Promotion Council and State Level Committee
- •Assam State Export Promotion Council (ASEPC): Chaired by Minister of Industries & Commerce; acts as advisory body and nodal agency for exporters.
- •State Level Committee (SLC): Chaired by Senior-Most Secretary, IC&PE Department; includes Finance, Revenue, Agriculture, Forest, Power, AAI, Customs, DGFT, and FIEO representatives. Meets quarterly to approve subsidy proposals.
- •Export Promotion Portal: Single-window portal providing export market research data, logistics info, and incentive tracking.
Source: The Export and Logistics Policy of Assam, 2019 (Notification No. MI.63/2019/43 dated 01.11.2019), Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Assam. All figures are reproduced from the primary policy document. Effective 01.11.2019 for 5 years. This page is an informational summary and not a substitute for professional advice.