SEZ Exports Stood at rs. 1.3 Lakh Crores in First Quarter of 2013-14

In addition to Seven Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval has been accorded to 576 proposals out of which 392 SEZs presently stand notified. A total of 173 SEZs have commenced export. A list showing State-wise distribution of formally approved, notified and operational SEZs is annexed (Annexure-I). No proposal for setting up of an SEZ is pending for approval by Board of Approval.

Parameters such as export, investment, employment generated in SEZs are monitored on a regular basis. Specific studies commissioned by the Department of Commerce to assess the socio-economic impact of SEZs have shown that SEZs have created a significant local area impact in terms of direct as well as indirect employment, emergence of new activities, changes in consumption pattern and positively impacted socio-economic development contributed to creation of social infrastructure such as education, healthcare etc. The contribution of SEZ exports and country’s exports during the last three years and the current financial year are as under:

* April, 2013 to June, 2013

Exports from SEZs today constitute a wide spectrum of goods and services ranging from Engineering, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Petro chemicals, Apparels and Garments, Gems and Jewellery, IT/ITES etc.

Businesses established in SEZs are as susceptible to the external environment similar to businesses in the Domestic Tariff Area of the country. Global economic slowdown has had an adverse impact on SEZs as well. In order to address the challenges being faced by SEZs, certain amendments in SEZ policy and its operational framework have been made with the objective of making SEZs more investors’ friendly.

Annexure-I

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.