SEZs generates exports of Rs 3.33 lakh crore and employment of 19.96 lakh persons

SEZs generates investment of Rs 492312 crore

The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) policy was launched in April, 2000. The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, was passed by Parliament in May, 2005 which received Presidential assent on the 23rd of June, 2005. The SEZs Rules, 2006 came into effect on 10th February, 2006.

The salient features of the SEZ scheme are:-

A designated duty free enclave to be treated as a territory outside the customs territory of India for the purpose of authorized operations in the SEZ; No licence required for import; Manufacturing or service activities allowed; The Unit shall achieve Positive Net Foreign Exchange to be calculated cumulatively for a period of five years from the commencement of production; Domestic sales subject to full customs duty and import policy in force; Full freedom for sub-contracting; No routine examination by customs authorities of export or import cargo; SEZ developers, co-developers and units enjoy direct tax and indirect tax benefits as prescribed in the SEZs Act.

In addition to seven Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 11 State/Private Sector SEZs set-up prior to the enactment of the SEZs Act, approvals have been accorded to 420 proposals for setting up of SEZs in the country of 355 notified SEZs, 230 SEZs are operational.

SEZs being set up under the SEZ Act, 2005 and SEZs Rules, 2006 are primarily private investment driven. No funds are sanctioned by the Central Government for setting up of SEZ. However, fiscal concessions and duty benefits have been allowed to developers and units as per the SEZ Act and Rules thereunder. As on 30 September 2018, exports from SEZs was Rs 333661 crore and employment generation was about 19.96 lakh persons and investment of Rs 492312 crore has been made.

The Government had constituted a Group of eminent persons under the Chairmanship of Baba Kalyani, Chairman M/s. Bharat Forge to study the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Policy of India on 04 June 2018. One of the terms of the reference for the group was to make the SEZ Policy WTO compatible. The Group has submitted its report to the Government and its recommendations are being examined through Inter-Ministerial consultations.

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Exports of the SEZs in manufacturing sector (Rs crore)

Employment in SEZs* (persons)

2015-2016

214501

1591381

2016-2017

237502

1731641

2017-2018

267801

1977216

2018-2019 (Upto 30.09.2018)

160699

1996610

* calculated on cumulative basis.

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