Govt plans infrastructure status for SEZs; move to ease financing norms

This will be done by giving them infrastructure status, at par with sectors to improve access to finance and enable long-term borrowing from lenders at easier terms

The government plans to facilitate easier financing norms to activities pertaining to the manufacturing and services hubs envisaged under the proposed revamped law for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), also known as Development (Enterprise and Services) Hub Bill, 2022.

This will be done by giving them infrastructure status, at par with sectors such as road, rail waterways, airports, to improve access to finance and enable long-term borrowing from lenders at easier terms.

The government hopes to pass the DESH Bill in the ongoing monsoon session. Once the Bill is passed, the commerce ministry, in consultation with the finance ministry’s department of