SEZ 2.0: Regional boards to track development hubs on the cards

The commerce and industry ministry is drafting a legislation for the next chapter for SEZs that will see development of large manufacturing and investment hubs

The Centre has proposed to set up regional boards in states and Union Territories to monitor procurement of goods from domestic tariff areas (DTAs) and take a call on building industrial units in ‘development hubs’, according to a Bill that aims to revamp Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The Development Enterprise and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2022 — expected to be tabled in Parliament’s monsoon session — aims to set up ‘development hubs’ to promote economic activity, attract investment, export competitiveness, and build robust infrastructure facilities. Such hubs will also include existing SEZs.

The Bill, announced in the Union Budget, will