An Overview of Special Economic Zones in India

Setting up a business in Special Economic Zone in India

Article by Vedika Jhall, Edited by Chinmay Jain

Do you know what Special Economic Zones are? Does the question regarding its existence ever popped-up in your mind? Do you know why it’s necessary or if you can do business there? Has it been a successful policy for the country? 

And, can it be beneficial for you to start your business there?

Similar questions popped in my head when I heard about this term for the very first time. 

In this article, I will be providing an in-depth analysis on Special Economic Zones in India as well as try to analyse the benefits and disadvantages of setting up a business here.

What Are SEZs?

Special Economic zones (SEZ) are areas that are provided with different laws for carrying on business and trade. In other words, these areas have separate business and trade laws from the rest of the country.

These Economic Zones are located within the national territorial area of a country. The purpose of these Economic Zones is to improve employment, trade balance, and investment, and therefore, financial policies were set forth to uplift the businesses in these zones.

The Special Economic Zones were created with the hope of motivating and attracting the host country towards Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The Economic Zones aimed for global competition as these zones have to trade goods at a reduced rate than the other zones located within the territorial borders of the country.

India is foreseen as the world’s leading economic power as this possesses the international firms with several new challenges and are aiming towards taking advantage of India’s development.

Evolution of Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

These zones were first introduced in Asia as Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in the year 1965 in Kandla, Gujrat.  These zones were established to increase and promote exports.

The concept and nature of Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones are all most similar. The basic structure of Special Economic Zones was based on the Foreign Trade Policies.

The Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in India was a scheme initiated by the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr. Murosoli Maran, during his visit to China in one of their Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the year 1999. The scheme was officially announced in the year 2000 in India.

The aim attached to the scheme was to provide these zones with areas for the production of goods with the utmost flexibility to carry on businesses and trade practices, without any rules and regulations governing the export and import of goods in the country. These zones are deemed to be foreign territories for carrying on trade with different tariffs and duties.

These zones were made by the government to amend the bureaucratic process and utilize India’s infrastructure for exports and also to encourage foreign and domestic investments.

The policies of these zones were further amended by the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005. A number of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) were converted to Special Economic Zones (SEZ) with the aim of promoting trade in the global competitive market.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005

Law enacted to constitute SEZ in India

This Act brought a new perspective to the trade practices and foreign and domestic investments in India.

New legislation namely, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill, was passed by the government, which aimed toward stabilizing the country and endorsing its long term credibility in the global competitive market.

These zones were meant to sell goods and to be free from all Domestic Tariff Areas (DTA) on the payment of applicable duties. The benefit from these policies and economic zones was certain as the sales from Special Economic Zones to Domestic Tariff Areas were at par with the regular trade transactions.

The Special Economic Zones (SEZ) were exempted from various rules, regulations, and duties and were even exempted from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms, also from the services of the central government and excise tax regimes.

A five-year time frame was provided to the Special Economic Zones businesses and a positive and profitable foreign exchange was estimated since the commencement of the production. To uplift the estimated benefits from these zones, the small scale industries were also given an exception from the rules and regulations as in the other areas of the country.

To enhance the financial benefits from Special Economic Zones (SEZ), Offshore Banking Units (OBU) were permitted to operate in these zones. The term Offshore Banking Units (OBU) were virtual foreign branches of banks that were available for financing at international rates. The Banking Units were to be set up in foreign territories and were exempted from certain rules and regulations of the Reserve Bank of India.

Therefore, the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill, 2005 provided an umbrella to the legal framework and aimed towards covering nearly every regulatory and legal aspect in the evolution and for the units operating in these zones.

The act has increased the number of developers applying for SEZ approval. This has also stirred the economic growth of India by raising the number of issues regarding the adequacy of the applications. The application requires and in-principle approval, followed by the acquisition of land, further leading to the final notification.

The framework of Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

Different states have different policies for the Special Economic Zones (SEZ). As states have different policies for these zones, it makes it more accessible for us to rank and compare these zones with respect to their state and territorial location. These can be ranked and compared through an index, which is as follows:

  1. Framing broad parameters and sub-parameters
  2. Allocation of weightages to sub-parameters to obtain the score of parameter
  3. Rating each state based on the parameters and overall index score of every state
  4. The ranking/ rating of each state is based on:
    • Incentives
    • Society and its ability to sustain
    • The environment of the industries
    • Transparency

These elements highlight the basic necessities to mark the areas as Special Economic Zones (SEZ) as they might result in the benefit of the economy of a country and also make export feasible and provide easy access to raw materials for the purpose of production of goods.

Objectives of Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

Special Economic Zones were established to boost economic growth in India

The objective of Special Economic Zones is to increase foreign investment, export, job opportunities, and uplift domestic development of business and trade. Some of the main objectives are:

  1. Generating additional economic activities.
  2. Promoting export of goods.
  3. Enhancing investment from foreign and domestic sources.
  4. Increasing Employment opportunities.
  5. Developing excellent infrastructural facilities.

Distinguishing features of Special Economic Zones:

  1. These zones are set up or allotted by the private sector or the state government.
  2. The private sectors are encouraged to redress and develop the already existing infrastructure of the Special Economic Zones.
  3. The setting up of the Special Economic Zones is led by the state government.
  4. The framework is created with the help of special windows being created under the existing rules and regulations of the central and state government.

Salient features of Special Economic Zones-

A Special Economic Zone is a geographically defined region that has laws that are liberal than other laws in the country. The Special Economic Zones have delineated duty-free enclaves and are deemed to be of foreign territory for trade, duties, and tariffs. The main goal is to uplift foreign investment.  

Administrative setup

A three-tier administration governs the functioning of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ). The Board of Approval is deemed to be the apex body and is headed by the Secretary of Department of Commerce. Therefore, each zone is headed by the Development Commissioner who is an Ex-Officio chairperson of the Approvals Committee.

The proposals for setting up units in the Special Economic Zones are to be approved at the zonal level by the Approval Committee which consists of the Development Commissioner, the Customs Authorities, and representatives from the state government.

The permission to change the name of the company, grant of importer-exporter code numbers are given at the zonal level by the Development Commissioner.
The violations of the conditions of approvals lead to penal action against the units in the Special Economic Zones. 

This is monitored by the Approval Committee periodically and can be held liable under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act.

Related Reads:

Approval Mechanism

The developer is required to submit a proposal for the establishment of Special Economic Zone to the state government of that particular state where they want to establish. 

The concerned state government is provided with a window of 45 days within which they have to forward the proposal to the Board of Approval. If not, the applicant also has the option to directly submit the proposal to the Board of Approval.

The Board of Approval consists of 19 members and the board is constituted with powers under the Special Economic Zones act, by the central government. The decisions that are taken by the Board of Approvals are through the consensus.

Incentives for Developers

  1. Exemption from duties of import and export for development and operation of the Special Economic Zones.
  2. Exemption from Income Tax
  3. Exemption from Service Tax

Special Economic Zones located in India

Today, these are the Special Economic Zones are located in the states:

  1. Andhra Pradesh
  2. Chandigarh
  3. Chhattisgarh
  4. Gujarat
  5. Goa
  6. Haryana
  7. Jharkhand
  8. Kerala
  9. Karnataka
  10. Maharashtra
  11. Madhya Pradesh
  12. Manipur
  13. Nagaland
  14. Odisha
  15. Punjab
  16. Rajasthan
  17. Tamil Nadu
  18. Telangana
  19. Tripura
  20. Uttar Pradesh
  21. West Bengal

These are operational and notified Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in India. The approvals of these SEZs were based on the proposals sent by the state governments. However, note that these are subject to be changed.

Labour laws in Special Economic Zones

Are labour laws any different in Special Economic Zones?

In the Special Economic Zones, normal labour laws avail, which is enforced by the state government of that particular area/zone.

The state governments are insisted to simplify the provisions and introduce a single-window clearance mechanism by the process of delegation of powers to the development commissioners of the Special Economic Zones.

The rules provided for Special Economic Zones-

  1. To simplify the rule, regulations, and procedures for operations, development, and maintenance of the Special Economic Zones.
  2. Single window clearance for setting up of zones
  3. Single window clearance for setting up units in the Special Economic Zones
  4. Single window clearance in matters related to the central and state government
  5. Simplified documentation and compliance procedures
  6. Different land requirements based on different classes of land in the Special Economic Zones
  7. The zones are divided into processing and non-processing areas:
  • Processing areas: The area where only the units of the Special Economic Zones are setup
  • Non-Processing areas: The area where infrastructure is created / prepared.

The Special Economic Zones established/ notified prior 2005: A tabular analysis

Special Economic Zones established or notified prior to SEZ Act, 2005 in Tabular Format

S. No.Name of SEZ prior to SEZ Act 2005AddressE-MailWeb Site
1.       SEEPZ Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner, SEEPZ, Andheri (East) Mumbai-400096 Tel: 91-22-28290856, 28291388, 28290046, 28292147, 28292144 Fax: 91-22-28291385, 22829175dcseepz-mah@nic.inwww.seepz.gov.in
2.       Kandla Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner KSEZ, Gandhidham, Kachchh Tel: 91-2836-252194, 252273, 252194, 252475, 253300, 252281 Fax: 91-2836-252250,dc.kasez-gj@gov.inwww.kasez.gov.in
3.       Cochin Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner, CSEZ, Kakkanad, Cochin – 682030 Tel: 91-484-2413222, 2413235, 2413111, 2413234 Fax: 91-484-2413074dc@csez.gov.inwww.csez.com
4.       Madras Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner MEPZ Special Economic Zone, National Highway 45, Tambaram, Chennai-600045 MEPZ CHENNAI Tel: 91-44-22628220, 22628230, 22628233 Fax: 91-44-2628218dc@mepz.gov.inwww.mepz.gov.in
5.       Visakhapatnam Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner VSEZ, Duvvada, Visakhapatnam, 530046 Tel: 91-891-2754577, 2587555 Fax: 91-891-2587352devcomm.vsez@gov.inwww.vsez.gov.in
6.       Falta Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner FSEZ, M.S.O Building, 4th Floor, Nizam Palace, Kolkata-700020 Tel: 91-33-22472263, 22477923, 22404092 Fax: 91-33-22477923fsez@nic.inwww.fsez.gov.in
7.       Noida Export Processing ZoneDevelopment Commissioner NSEZ, Noida Dadri Road, Phase-II, Noida District, Gautam Budh Nagar-201305 (U.P.) Tel: 91-120-2562315, 2567274, 2567270-73, Fax: 91-120-2562314, 2567276dc@nsez.gov.inwww.nsez.gov.in
8.       Surat Special Economic ZoneDevelopment Commissioner, Surat Special Economic Zone Diamond Park, Sachin, Surat-394230 Tel: 91-261-2372733, 2372734dc1suratsez@yahoo.co.inwww.sursez.com
9.       Manikanchan, Salt Lake SEZ (for gems and jewelry)West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Ltd., 5, Plot No.-1, Block-CN, Sector V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700001 Tel: 91-33-23674861 Fax: 91-33-23674860wbidc@wbidc.comwww.wbidc.com
10.   Indore Special Economic Zone (Multi-product)3/54, Press Complex, Free Press Home, H.B. Road, Indore-452018 Tel: 91-731-2560619, 2560666, 2560674 Fax: 91-731- 4290586dcisezind-mp@gov.inwww.indoresez.gov.in
11.   Jaipur Special Economic Zone (Gems and Jewellery)Chairman cum Managing Director Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Ltd.,  (RIICO) Udyog Bhawan, Tilak Marg Jaipur-302005 Tel: 91-141-2227751, 5113201 Fax: 91-141-5104804riico@riico.comwww.riico.com
12.   Mahindra City-SEZ, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) (Information Technology)M/s. Mahindra Industrial Park Ltd. Arjay Apex Centre, 24, College Road, Chennai-600 006 Tel: 91-44-2821 2893-94 Fax: 91-44-2821 2895mahindraworldcity@mahindra.comwww.mahindraworldcity.com
13.   Mahindra City-SEZ, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) (Apparel and fashion accessories)M/s. Mahindra Industrial Park Ltd. Arjay Apex Centre, 24, College Road, Chennai-600 006 Tel: 91-44-2821 2893 / 2894 Fax: 91-44-2821 2895mahindraworldcity@mahindra.comwww.mahindraworldcity.com
14.   Salt Lake Electronic City-SEZ, Kolkata (Software Development and IT enabled services)M/s. WIPRO Ltd., Wipro Infotech, Thapar House, 124,  Janpath, New Delhi-110011. Tel: 91-11-23366997 Fax: 91-11-23362145
15.   Moradabad Special Economic Zone (Handicrafts)Managing Director, U.P. State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd., UPSIDC Complex A-1/4, Lakhanpur, Kanpur-208024 (Uttar Pradesh) Tel: 91-512-2582851-53 Fax: 91-512-2280797adc@moradabadsez.gov.inwww.msez.techphilic.in
16.   Jodhpur Special Economic Zone (Handicrafts)Chairman cum Managing Director Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Ltd., (RIICO) Udyog Bhawan, Tilak Marg Jaipur-302005 Tel: 91-141-2227751, 5113201 Fax: 91-141-5104804riico@riico.comwww.riico.com
17.   Mahindra City, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) (auto ancillaries)Chief Operating Officer, M/s. Mahindra Industrial Park Ltd., Arjay Apex Centre, 24, College Road, Chennai-600 006 Tel: 91-44-2821 2893 / 2894 Fax: 91-44-2821 2895mahindraworldcity@mahindra.comwww.mahindraworldcity.com
18.   Surat Apparel SEZVillage Vanj, Distt. Surat (Apparel) Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Udyog Bhavan, Block No.4, 2nd Floor, Sector-11, ‘GH’ Road, Gandhinagar -382 017, Gujarat Tel: 91-079-23225801/5811 Fax: 91-079-23225815gidc@gujarat.gov.in, gidc@gidcgujarat.orgwww.gidc.gov.in
19.   M/s. Nokia India Pvt. Ltd.Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) (Telecom equipment and services in telecom 2F, Prakash Presidium, 110, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600034 Tel: 91-44-47119000 Fax: 91-44-47119999

Special Economic Zones performance in India after 2005: A tabular analysis of figures

YearsExportsGrowth over previous years (INR)
(Value in Rs. Crores)(Billion USD)
2005-200622,8405.08
2006-200734,6157.6952%
2007-200866,63814.8193%
2008-200999,68921.7150%
2009-20102,20,71146.54121.40%
2010-20113,15,86869.3043.11%
2011-20123,64,47876.0115.39%
2012-20134,76,15987.4531%
2013-20144,94,07781.674%
2014-20154,63,77075.84-6.13%
2015-20164,67,33771.380.77%
2016-20175,23,63778.0712.05%
2017-2018 (as on 30.09.2017)2,66,77341.4413.39%
TOTAL38,16,592676.99 
Sourcehttp://sezindia.nic.in/cms/export-performances.php

CONCLUSION

The nature of the Special Economic Zones is to uplift the foreign and domestic investments and plays a key role in the economic development of the country.

The Special Economic Zone provides world-class infrastructure along with real estate, administrative process, power, transportation facilities, and flexibility.

Special Economic Zones encourage domestic businesses to flourish and have the power to compete in the global market. The businesses established in these zones are deemed to be foreign territory and are exempted from certain rules and regulations of the Reserve Bank of India.

The laws that govern these zones are enforced by the respective state government and are to be approved by the Board of Approval.

Hence, there has been an increase in the exports of Special Economic Zone from Rs. 22,840 Crores in FY 2005-06 to Rs. 5,23,637 Crores in FY 2016-17 while in USD terms in the same period it has been increased from US$ 5.08 Billion to US$ 78.07 Billion. 

The performance of the Special Economic Zones’ in India’s export contribution has been increased to a great extent but still, these are being underutilized as compared to their potentials, and India is yet to get complete benefit out of these Special Economic Zones.

Read Next:

Author Bio: Vedika Jhall is a BA.LLB(H) student from Amity Law School, Delhi, and an intern at WinSavvy. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Editor Bio: Chinmay Jain is a BA.LLB(H) student from Institute of Law, Nirma University, and an intern at WinSavvy. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top