Despite being the largest contributor in terms of exports, Gujarat ranks fourth in terms of number of special economic zones (SEZs) operational in the country and the ranks fifth in terms of notified SEZs in the country. In terms of formal approvals, the state is way behind at sixth position.
This however hasn't dampened Chief minister Narendra Modi's dream of making Gujarat the 'SEZ capital of the country' as the state's contribution is highest among all other states, over half of the country's overall exports.
Gujarat is all set to contribute over Rs 1 lakh crore (its exports crossed Rs 94,000 crore till February) of the total Rs 2 lakh crore exports that the country is expected to touch by end of this fiscal. While a major portion of this export would come from Reliance's Jamnagar SEZ (Rs 75,000 crore), Surat SEZ is poised to emerge as the country's second largest SEZ with its exports crossing Rs 20,000 crore, said government sources close to the development.
Gujarat is at number four with ten operational SEZs while Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are ahead of the state.
Andhra leads with 21 operational SEZs while Tamil Nadu has 19 operational SEZ. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka rank third with 15 SEZs operational SEZs each.
In all there are 105 operational SEZs in the country with an overall export of Rs 1.5 lakh crore till December 31, 2009, according to official figures by ministry of commerce and industry, department of commerce.
Formal approvals have been accorded to 571 proposals out of which 348 SEZs have been notified. In Gujarat, so far 48 SEZs have formally been approved out of which 30 have been notified.
Highest number of SEZs 109 have so far been approved in Maharashtra out of which 57 have been notified.
In Andhra, a total of 102 SEZs have been formally approved so far while 72 have been notified.
Karnataka has 52 SEZs of which 29 have been notified while another southern state Tamil Nadu has total 68 approved SEZs, of which 55 have been notified.
States like Uttar Pradesh have six SEZs operational, while Rajasthan and Haryana have three SEZs exporting each.
