Kandla SEZ exports to exceed Rs 1350 crore

The total exports of the Kandla Special Economic Zone is all set breach the Rs 1,000 crore mark. By the end of the current financial year, the SEZ' exports is expected exceed Rs 1,350 crore.

"We are eyeing a growth of over 25 per cent in our exports this year. Last year our exported stood at Rs 1,086 crore in the last financial year. The foreign exchange earning is also expected go up by over 25 per cent, which was Rs 650 crore last year," Yogendra Garg, development commissioner, Kandla SEZ, told Business Standard.

"We have the highest ratio of foreign exchange earnings to exports (63 per cent). This is also the highest among all SEZs in the country. So far, we have already achieved 32 per cent higher growth rate, compared with last year," Garg added.

Encouraged by the performance, the SEZ has also acquired an additional 300 acres of land for expansion.

Exports from the zone have been steadily on the increase, except during 1998-1999 and 2000-2001, when the state was hit by the severe cyclone and devastating earthquake.

Major items exported from the zone include, cosmetic, toiletry preparations, toothpaste, pharmaceutical products, processed castor oil, rice, woven and knitted ready made garments, sewing machine needles, stainless steel utensils and other light engineering goods and plastic items.

Kandla SEZ exports mainly to countries such as the US, the UK, the Middle East, Canada, Poland, Germany and Malaysia among others.

At present, there are around 140 units operating in the zone, with about eight to be operational by the end of the current financial year.

Of the 620 acres of land, 50 acres will be allotted to the new units willing to set up shop in the zone. Of the 300 acres new acquired land, 200 acres will be allotted to the new units.

The zone provides direct employment to over 10,000 persons and is the single largest employer in the Kutch district.