Cement export ban not to affect SEZs: Nath

The government today said ban on cement exports, announced to check rising prices, will not impact the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), which are considered to be bonded territories by the customs authorities. 

"No, the ban will not impact the SEZs," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said here at the CII seminar on Foreign Trade Policy. Nath said the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued notification banning export of cement. There was a confusion whether the sale of cement from the 'Domestic Tariff Area' to SEZs would also attract ban. Asked whether a similar ban on steel export was considered by the government, Nath said the Steel Ministry was working on the specific steps. The decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Prices meeting next week.  

"The message is clear that the government is ready to take whatever steps are required to control inflation," he said. On export target, Nath said the Indian economy has adequate momentum to sustain the growth rate of 22-23 per cent in export sector.

"If we maintain the same growth rate or raise it by one or two per cent, we will reach 200 billion dollars," he said. The Foreign Trade Policy has set a target of 200 billion dollars export for 2008-09 despite missing the 160-billion target in the previous year when exports totalled 155 billion dollars in the face of rupee rise and US slowdown.