Govt relaxes special economic zones norms

13 Aug 2013 Evaluate

In order to make special economic zones (SEZ) attractive for the investors, the government relaxed SEZ rules by notifying relaxations in the minimum area requirements and easing the exit clause for developers.

As per the new SEZ rules, minimum land requirement has been brought down from 1,000 hectares to 500 hectares for multi-product SEZ. While, for sector- specific SEZs, it has been brought down to 50 hectares. The SEZ norms for setting up of zones in north eastern states, hilly regions, Goa and Union Territories were also relaxed. There will be no minimum area required for IT SEZs but put condition for minimum built up area criteria for developers of 1 lakh square meters for the top-7 cities, 50,000 square meters for the next 15 cities and 25,000 square meters for the rest of the cities. Further, the minimum area required will be 10 hectares for SEZs to be set up exclusively for electronics hardware, agro-based food processing, biotechnology and handicrafts.

Further, the amended SEZs rules eased the exit clause for developers and now an SEZ unit may opt out of the zone by transferring its assets and liabilities to another entity by way of transfer of ownership including sale of SEZ units subjected to conditions like prior clearance from the approval committee. However, the unit will be transferred to the buyer if it is operational for a minimum period of 2 years after the commencement of production.

Meanwhile, considering the rising exports from SEZs, the government wants to increase investments in these zones by amending norms. In the previous fiscal year, exports from these zones grew by about 31 per cent year- on-year to Rs 4.76 lakh crore.

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