SEZs register consistent rise and grow by 5% YoY in April 2018: EPCES
Exports from SEZs register consistent increase on YoY basis in 2018: EPCES
- SEZ have clocked 18% increase, year on year between 2016-17 and 2017-18
- Exports from Cochin has recorded highest growth with over 705% increase of 3708 crores
- Biotech export leads the pack with a surge of 58% year on year basis
Kolkata, May 2018, Exports from special economic zones (SEZs) grew 5 percent in April to Rs 20, 548 crores as compared to the year-ago month, EPCES today said. Falta has observed Rs.905 crores of a surge in the export value of 80% than Rs.452 crores of last year export value. Cochin SEZ with 705% increase of Rs 3708 crores from last year of Rs 461 crores. Other SEZs observed positive growth are Indore, MEPZ with 14 % and Noida with 9%.
EPCES said the major sectors recording healthy growth include biotech, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, computer, electronics, non-conventional energy, plastic, rubber, trading and services.
“Total exports in April this year from SEZs amounted to Rs 20,548 crore as against Rs 19,488 crore in April 2017,” the Export Promotion Council for SEZ and Export Oriented Unit (EPCES) said in a statement. Dr. Vinay Sharma, Officiating Chairman of EPCES said that new government policies have managed to register a healthy growth roadmap for manufacturing and service industry.
The Business in 204 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has clocked 18% increase, year on year between 2016-17 and 2017-18. This has been in spite of the challenges faced, with factors such as non-removal of MAT, imposition of Dividend Distribution Tax and impending sword of sunset Clause from 2020 (when the tax benefits will go away). Additionally the tight competition world over, from established & upcoming free zones from almost every country has not acted as a deterrence to the growth velocity
The biotech export from the SEZ has also seen a surge of 58% year on year basis between years ending April 2017 and April 2018. India has exported computer and electronic software worth 30,892 crores against 24,614 crores last year. Electronics export has surged
to 417% against last year, still lot more progress to do. Non-conventional energy has shown a significantly high surge in export Rs.20 crores in April 2018 against Rs.7 crores in April 2017 i.e. 161% surge in export.
Software transactions from different zones have increased to 26% from previous year April 2017. Kandla has observed the highest surge in software export Rs.1719 crore of 1336% against previous year Rs.120 crore. Falta has also surged 34% from previous year April 2017.
The combined export from SEZs in India of merchandise and software has been of 51,440 crores as against 44,102 crores in last year i.e. 17%. Cochin, Falta and Noida have observed a surge of 57%, 52% and 17% respectively.
Dr. Vinay Sharma, officiating Chairman of Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs elaborated, “SEZs has provided favorable conditions for the growth of the manufacturing and service industry and has eliminated unwanted policies and have reduced delay in orders. A positive environment for business, an abundance of greenery increases the productivity of the workforce.”
About EPCES:
Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs (EPCES) has been set up to service the export promotional needs of 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units and Special Economic Zone Developers in the country. Recognized by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, EPCES facilitates interaction between the exporting community and Government both at the Central and State level and canalizes financial assistance rendered by the Central Government to members for assisting their export market development efforts. It also enables collaboration with other export promotion councils/ export promotion organizations in India and similar bodies in foreign countries as well as with international organizations working in the field.
EPCES represents the EOU/SEZ Sector, which has approximately 6,000 operational EOUs/SEZ Units/ SEZ Developers spread all over the country which contribute to approximately 30% of national exports. EPCES provides financial assistance to EOUs/SEZ units through Market Development Assistance (MDA) for export promotion activities abroad and is also instrumental in organizing Open Houses/Seminars/Workshops in different states of the country for resolving their problems and eliciting suggestions for policy making by Government. It takes up issues affecting EOUs/SEZs with various Ministries like Commerce, Finance, CBEC, CBDT, RBI, State Governments etc.