Exports from SEZs to grow by 15% this fiscal

Exports from the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) are likely to grow by 15 per cent in the current fiscal over 2008-09, a senior government official today said.

In the previous fiscal, exports from the SEZs was Rs 99,689 crore.

"In 2009-10, exports from these zones are likely to increase by about 15 per cent...We are confident that exports growth will be there (despite the slowdown)," D K Mittal, Additional Secretary in Commerce Ministry, told reporters here.

He added the shipments were at Rs 1,01,264 crore in the first half of the current fiscal itself. "We have robust growth from the SEZs."

Exports from Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery is likely to contribute substantially to the total shipments this fiscal, another official said.

Gems and jewellery, textiles, engineering and telecommunications SEZs were the major contributers to the exports, according to industry experts.

As on September 30, 578 SEZs have got formal approval, 147 'in-principle' approval, and 340 have been notified. Of this, 101 are functional. The total investments in SEZs were at Rs 1,29,985.52 crore till September.

The total employment in the tax free enclaves as on September 30, was 418,129 people.