These agreements aim to improve quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and global competitiveness in Assam’s tea, food, and pharmaceutical industries. The collaboration includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art testing laboratory in Guwahati or Dibrugarh.
March 2025: Two important Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed by Auriga Research Private Limited, a reputable Indian leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services with forty years of experience, with the goal of bolstering Assam’s tea, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. The two agreements represent a revolutionary step toward improving quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and Assamese industries’ ability to compete globally. They were signed with the Government of Assam and the Tea Research Association (TRA) during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025.
PM Narendra Modi, who graced the summit, highlighted how Assam is becoming a key engine of India’s economic expansion and how significant investments and infrastructural development have transformed the state into one with limitless potential.
Further, Assam’s Chief Minister highlighted the state’s investor-friendly policies, infrastructure growth, and strong commitment to Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). The event also attracted key policymakers and industry leaders, underscoring Assam’s commitment to becoming an industrial hub.
Auriga Research has partnered with the Government of Assam to establish an advanced testing laboratory for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, and medical devices. This state-of-the-art facility will be set up in Guwahati or Dibrugarh, with operations expected to commence within nine months. It will cater to both domestic businesses and export-driven industries, ensuring compliance with national and international quality standards.
In another substantial move, Auriga Research signed a landmark MoU with the Tea Research Association (TRA) to enhance Assam’s tea testing infrastructure. Assam contributes nearly 50% of India’s total tea exports, yet small growers and Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) often struggle with access to affordable, high-quality testing and regulatory compliance services.
Commenting on these momentous milestones, Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, Auriga Research, stated, “We are honored to collaborate with the Government of Assam in this initiative. With our four decades of expertise in testing, inspection, and certification, we are committed to establish new benchmarks for quality and safety in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.”
“Our partnership with the Tea Research Association (TRA) is again a very proud moment for us. Robust testing infrastructure is the key to unlocking new opportunities for tea growers and exporters. This partnership with TRA will help small and mid-sized producers meet global safety and quality standards, reinforcing Assam’s position as a global tea leader. At Auriga Research, we take pride and truly align with TRA’s mission to test and certify products our families can use, reinforcing our dedication to consumer well-being and industry excellence,” Arora said.
He further mentioned, “At Auriga Research, we have been working under the PPP model and operating the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad and other areas across India. This is in collaboration with FSSAI where FSSAI ensures the day-to-day management of the NFL. Our expertise in setting up laboratories along with FSSAI provides the next level of confidence to the regulators and industries.”
The Government of Assam will provide policy support, fast-track clearances, and facilitation services to ensure smooth implementation. This initiative aligns with Assam’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) policies and will further integrate the state into global supply chains, supporting India’s Make in India and Make for the World initiatives.
Auriga Research will provide cost-effective, world-class testing solutions to producers, even small and mid-sized players to ensure compliance with stringent international regulations. This will enable Assam’s tea industry to expand exports to key global markets such as the EU, US, and Middle East.
Auriga Research will also assist TRA in organizing training programs for tea farmers, implementing structured quality monitoring mechanisms, and supporting broader food processing industries in Northeast India.
These strategic partnerships reinforce Assam’s emergence as a preferred investment destination, backed by 19.5% GSDP growth in FY 2023. These strategic developments will immensely contribute to the broader development of Northeast India’s Tea and food processing sectors. The Northeast region, particularly Assam, contributes significantly to India’s tea exports, with over 200 million kilograms exported annually, representing nearly 50% of India’s total tea exports.
Despite this, many small growers and Bought Leaf Factories face challenges in accessing affordable, high-quality testing and compliance services, limiting their export potential. With a strong focus on quality assurance, safety, and export-readiness, Auriga Research’s initiatives will drive economic growth, innovation, and regulatory excellence across Assam’s key industries.
About Auriga Research
Auriga Research, with 40 years of group excellence, is a Tea Board-approved and a chain of NABL-accredited laboratories – providing end-to-end Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services across food, tea, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, Ayurveda, and herbal industries. With state-of-the-art laboratories, clinical research facilities, and GMP-compliant contract manufacturing capabilities, Auriga Research delivers safe, compliant, and market-ready solutions, ensuring clients meet domestic and global regulatory standards. Over the last 4 decades, Auriga’s team of over 800 professionals has served over 12000 customers in the Food, Pharma, FMCG and Medical devices industries helping them create credible brands.
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