Surat SEZ records Rs 1107 cr exports

The Surat Special Economic Zone (SurSEZ) has achieved Rs 1107.33 crore worth exports in the current financial year ended December 2004.

It is aiming exports of Rs 1,500 crore by the end of the financial year.

SurSEZ, the first private sector SEZ in the country, which has been developed by the Diamond & Gem Development Corporation Ltd, had completed its fourth anniversary in November.

Exports from the zone have constantly increased since it became operational. Total exports from the zone in fiscal 2000-01 were worth Rs 62 crore, which increased to Rs 312 crore in 2001-02.

In 2002-03 exports rose to Rs 295 crore. In fiscal 2003-04, exports from the zone witnessed a jump of over 200 per cent. The zone achieved exports of Rs 890 crore in the year.

Buoyed by the jump in exports, SurSEZ has set an exports target of Rs 1,500 crore in 2004-05. "In the first nine months of the financial year, exports from SurSEZ have crossed the Rs 1,100 crore mark. We are confident that we would reach the Rs 1,500 crore exports target by the end of the year," a SurSEZ spokesman said.

The spokesman said at present there are 83 units which are fully functional in the zone. This figure is likely to go up to 100 by March. A further 235 exporters are expected to be issued letter of permission in the near future, he said.

"Once these units also come up, exports from SurSEZ would get a boost, and further add to the growth momentum of the zone. We intend to increase the export target for the next financial year to Rs 1,800 crore," the spokesman said.