Bucking the trend, exports from the country’s 101 operational special economies zones (SEZ) topped Rs 89,000 crore during the first six months (April-September) of the current financial year, compared to Rs 99,689 crore worth of exports in the entire 2008-09.
Out of the Rs 89,000 crore, around Rs 25,000 crore worth of exports took place from government SEZs, Rs 9,000 crore from state and private SEZs and the remaining approximately Rs 45, 000 crore from SEZs that are set up under the Act.
The total number of employees in various SEZs across the country also grew from 283,425 to 418,129.
“This clearly shows the growth of SEZs in the country and how are they helping in stabilising the country’s exports. SEZs go into long-term contracts unlike DTA (domestic tariff area) exporters where it is followed on the basis of per order,” said DK Mittal, additional secretary, Department of Commerce, after the meeting of the Board of Approval (BoA) here today.
The government is yet to ascertain the sectors that were the main drivers of growth, he said, adding that it was mainly the IT and manufacturing sectors that performed well during the period.
However, Mittal admitted that SEZs had also been affected due to the global slowdown and its exports had taken a hit with a number of developers approaching the ministry with de-notification or withdrawal request.
While no new proposals came on the table, BoA approved the cancellation of 10 SEZs in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab.
