Proposals for 5 new SEZ proposals to be taken up tomorrow

The inter-ministerial panel headed by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar will decide on proposals for setting up five new SEZs, including that of B Raheja Builders and Sterling Port, here tomorrow.

The 19-member Board of Approval (BoA), the apex body on SEZ related matters, is also likely to take a decision on applications of about 40 developers.

This includes the request of Jubilant Infracon Private Limited, IFFCO Kisan SEZ Limited and Reliance Haryana SEZ seeking additional time to execute their projects.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have emerged as a major source of exports as they contributed 35% in the country's shipments in 2009-10.

Request of GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Limited for change of sector of notified zone at Mamidipalli village in Hyderabad from 'Aviation' to 'Multi Product-Airport Based' is also scheduled to be taken up by the BoA.

Besides, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has approached the BoA for denotification of its Textile SEZ at Solapur district in Maharashtra.

Two developers -- Gujarat Hydrocarbons and Power SEZ and Mexus Corporation -- have also approached the panel for withdrawal of permission given to them to set up SEZs.

B Raheja Builders proposes to set up an ITITeS SEZ in Navi Mumbai over 14.15 hectare, while Sterling Port seeks BoA's nod for a port-based SEZ at Bharuch, Gujarat.

In the last meeting, the BoA had approved three new proposals for setting up SEZs.

So far, 582 SEZs have been formally approved by the BoA, of which 130 are in operation. SEZs have emerged as major sources for attracting investment and increasing exports in the country.

Exports from these zones stood at Rs 2,23,132 crore during the April-December, 2010-11, period, as against Rs 1,51,785 crore in the same period last fiscal.

Shipments from SEZs increased from Rs 22,840 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 2,20,711 crore in 2009-10.