SEZs to receive Rs 100k cr, says govt

ECONOMY BUREAU
DATELINE



NEW DELHI, APR 3: Special economic zones (SEZs) would bring in
investments worth Rs100,000 crore, including foreign direct investments
(FDI) of over Rs 25,000 crore by December, and provide direct employment
to 5 lakh people, the commerce ministry said in its annual report.
In the 63 SEZs notified so far, Rs.13,435 crore has already been
invested in less than one year and 18,457 have already received direct
employment, the ministry said.

The growth rate of merchandise exports at over 20% during the last 4
years is more than twice the current GDP growth, it said. The rising
competitiveness of sectors like engineering goods (auto parts) and high
commodity prices (petroleum and metals) have been the driving force for
high growth of exports, the ministry added.

Referring to the setting up of a Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) under
the Tea Board, the ministry said the proposal is to cover an area of 2.1
lakh hectares for rejuvenation and replantation activities in 15 years.
On multilateral trade negotiations, the ministry said India has pursued
its interests across all areas under the Doha Work Programme. It
continued to work constructively with its partners, particularly the
G-20 and the G-33 in agriculture, to secure its development imperatives.

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