Sonowal inaugurates Hindustan Unilever Limited’s 4th unit in Assam

Titled as Rhino Project, the new unit is a part of Hindustan Unilever’s over Rs 3000 crore value products which are being produced in Assam.

The unit has been constructed in a record time of 300 days.         

Speaking at the programme, Sonowal termed the occasion as the historic day for the industrial sector of Assam as it would open new vistas for industrial growth.

Advocating synergy between the government and the industries, Sonowal said that if the role of one complements the other the development of both industry and community will register a greater impetus.

Stating that industrial environment in Assam is very conducive and the government is coming up with promising industrial policy by easing out all procedures including providing land for industrial units, the Assam CM requested Hindustan Unilever to increase its footprints in Lower Assam and Barak Valley in the State.         

Sonowal also said that Assam government would set up more skill development centres in association with private players to provide quality manpower to the industrial units.

He further requested Hindustan Unilever to take advantage of the potential of organic sector in Assam and come up with latest technology to produce new products in a bid to materialise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making Assam and North East an organic hub of the country.    

Highlighting close ties that Assam shares with South East Asian Nations and the access that Assam could provide to the markets of South East Asian countries, Sonowal said that Assam government is resolutely working to make Assam as the gateway to South East Asia by implementing the Act East Policy of the Centre.

Sonowal also asked Hindustan Unilever to increase its PR activities and pursue its CSR policy taking the local people and the public representatives into confidence.

He also sought Hindustan Unilever’s support in drawing investors for the proposed Global Business Summit in Guwahati in February 2018 and also generate goodwill about Assam.      

Paul Polman, the Global Chief Executive Officer of Unilever, who was also present at the inaugural ceremony appreciated State Government’s support in completing the 4th unit of Hindustan Unilever within 300 days.

Stating that Doom Dooma unit is an example of simultaneous growth of the company in sync with the community, Polman assured that Hindustan Unilever will continue to be a worthy partner in economic growth of Assam. He also expressed hope that the new Rhino Unit would set a new bench mark in terms of sustainability, equality and productivity.         

Sanjiv Mehta the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Unilever while delivering welcome speech highlighted Hindustan Unilever’s journey in Assam. Mehta informed that Hindustan Unilever will soon set up a Skill Development Centre in Tinsukia.         

Member of Parliament Rameswar Teli, Pradan Barua, MLA Suren Phukan, Bolin Chetia, Sanjay Kisan and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.         

On the sidelines of the programme, the Assam CM held a fruitful discussion with Global CEO Unilever Paul Polman regarding investment in Assam.

Sonowal informed Polman about geographic and locational advantage of Assam which the company could utilise to capture the market of South East Asian Nations.

Assam government’s ambitious project of setting up of a World Trade Centre, executing the State Capital Region and proposed Global Business Summit are some of the few issues that the Assam CM brought to the notice of Polman during interaction.         

Sonowal also drew the attention of Polman of the possibility of Jogigopa, a town in Goalpara district of becoming the hub of trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.

He also informed that as many as 23 MoUs were signed between India and Bangladesh to promote trade and other issues of multilateral interests including Government of India’s UDAN to improve regional connectivity.

Polman during the interaction wanted to know about availability of skilled workforce and government policy towards industry and assured to take fruitful measure in this regard.         

Polman also expressed his sympathy over the loss perpetrated by the recent waves of floods in the State and contributed Rs 1 crore on behalf of the company to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and announced to donate Rs 1 crore more in the near future.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)