New Delhi: At a time when overall outbound
shipments are contracting, the exports turnover from special
economic zones (SEZs) are likely to register a growth of 15
per cent to around Rs 1,15,000 crore this financial year.
Exports from the SEZs in 2008-09 was Rs 99,689 crore.
"In 2009-10, exports from SEZ are likely to increase, a
minimum by about 15 per cent over the last fiscal...We are
confident that exports growth will be there (despite the
slowdown)," D K Mittal, Additional Secretary in Commerce
Ministry, told reporters here.
He said the shipments in the first half of the current
fiscal was about Rs 89,000 crore.
Official data earlier said that during April-September
2009-10, the exports from SEZ was Rs 1,01,264 crore. Industry
experts said manufacturing and IT SEZs were the major
contributors.
Asked whether the demand for SEZs is increasing despite
the global slowdown, he said, "...the kind of request we get
for co-developer activities and authorised operations, this is
indicating that investments are happening in SEZs."
As on September 30 this year, 578 SEZs have got formal
approval and 340 have been notified. Of this, 101 are
functional. The total investments in SEZs were at Rs
1,29,985.52 crore till September.
India's exports are in the negative zone since October
2008 due to the global slump in demand in the the US and
Europe.
Bureau Report