Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
The first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was set up in 1959 at Shannon, in Ireland. India is one of the first countries in Asia to recognize the effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) model in promoting export. India was inspired by China for setting up of SEZ. Asia’s First EPZ was set up in Kandla in 1965.
Government of India first introduced the concept of SEZ in the export import policy 2000 with a view to provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports. SEZ refers to a specially demarcated territory usually known as ‘deemed foreign territory’ with tax holidays, exemption from duties for export and import, world level economic and social infrastructure for production and augmentation of export activities within the territory along with facilities like abundant and relatively cheap labour, strategic location and market access etc. http://sezindia.nic.in/about-introduction.asp
After this, the existing FTZs/EPZs have been converted to SEZ. Difference
between SEZ and EPZ
http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rmar2003/03032003/r030320034.html
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-sez-and-vs-epz/#ixzz1TCLAcQyS
Details of SEZs established\notified prior to SEZ Act, 2005:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/List_of_SEZs__approved_prior_to_the_SEZ_Act.pdf
Details of SEZs notified under SEZ Act, 2005:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Contact-details-SEZs-notified-under-SEZAct-2005.pdf
THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE ACT 2005: The act provides the umbrella legal framework, covering all important legal and regulatory aspects for setting up of SEZ’s as well units operating in SEZ. The guidelines of act, amendments and some instructions regarding setting up of SEZ are given here:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/SEZ%20Act,%202005.pdf
http://sezindia.nic.in/goi-policies-sra.asp
http://sezindia.nic.in/instructions.asp
The central government gives the special economic zones viz, special tax
incentives for foreign investments in the SEZs, greater independence on
international trade activities, listed separately in the national planning
(including financial planning) and have province- level authority on economic
administration. For facilities and incentives provided to SEZ are
http://sezindia.nic.in/about-fi.asp
The major objectives of setting up a SEZ are to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), earn foreign exchange and contribute to exchange rate stability, boost the export sector especially non traditional exports, to create employment opportunities, introduce new technology, develop backward regions etc. by stimulating sectors as electronics, information technology, R & D, tourism, infrastructure and human resource development that are regarded as strategically important to the economy.
The guidelines for setting up a SEZ are given below as documented by govt. of
India:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/SEZ%20Act,%202005.pdf
Minimum requirements for setting up a SEZ are
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/develop-sez-happly.asp
List of operational SEZ in India
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/ListofoperationalSEZs.pdf
List of approved SEZs in India
List of Formal approvals
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/ListofFormalapprovals.pdf
List of valid in-principle approvals
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Listofin-principleapprovals.pdf
State wise Distribution of SEZ
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/StatewiseDistribution-SEZ.pdf
Sector wise Distribution of SEZ
http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Sector-wise%20distribution-SEZ.pdf
Some SEZs in India are
Seepz Special Economic Zone
Kandla Special Economic Zone
Noida Special Economic Zone
Falta Special Economic Zone
Vishakhapatnam Special Economic Zone
Madras Special Economic Zone
Cochin Special Economic Zone.
