New Delhi. In addition to seven Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval has been accorded to 576 proposals out of which 358 SEZs have been notified. A total of 114 SEZs are already exporting. Further details about these SEZs including sector, location etc. are available on the website http://www.sezindia.nic.in/.

This information was given by Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. He said that as on 30th June, 2010, an investment of Rs. 1,66,526 crores has been made in SEZs and direct employment for 5,50,323 persons have been generated. The total physical Exports of Rs. 2,20,711.39 crore approximately have been made from SEZs during the year 2009-10 registering a growth of about 121.40% over the exports for the previous financial year. The exports in the first quarter of financial year 2010-11, has been to the tune of Rs. 58,685.46 crores approximately registering a growth of 68% over the exports of corresponding period of the previous financial year.

In terms of Rule 6 of the SEZ Rules, 2006, validity of approval is for a period of three years within which time effective steps are to be taken by the developer to implement the approved proposal. On a request received from the developer, the Board of Approval can extend the validity period.

Requests for de-notification by the developers have been approved by the Board of Approval in respect of 18 SEZs located in various states and Union Territories. The final denotification is allowed only on refund of duties/ benefits, if any, availed by the Developer.