The fiscal concessions and duty benefits allowed to SEZs are in built into the SEZs Act, 2005 and Rules framed thereunder. These exemptions are uniformly applicable to all SEZs and are primarily in the nature of incentives for export and are consistent with the principles that guide export promotion initiatives of the Government in general. Since the enactment of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and the attendant Rules in Feb 2006 a total of 577 SEZs have been approved, of which 389 have been notified as on 3rd May, 2013. Exports from SEZs have increased over ten-fold from about Rs. 34,615 Crore in 2006-07 to about Rs. 4,76,159 Crore in 2012-13. SEZs are primarily private investment driven.

A statement showing state-wise employment generated in SEZs as on 31st March, 2013 is at Annexure.

The contribution of SEZ exports and country exports during the last five years are as under:

Financial Year	Total exports of the Country (Rs. in Crores)	Total SEZ Exports (Rs. in Crores)	Percentage share of SEZ exports in the total exports of the country
2008-2009	8,40,755	99,689	11.86
2009-2010	8,45,534	2,20,711	26.10
2010-2011	11,42,922	3,15,868	27.64
2011-2012	14,65,959	3,64,478	24.86
2012-2013	16,35,261	4,76,159	29.12

In addition to Falta SEZ set up by the Central Government and two other State Government/private sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, 18 SEZs have been formally approved out of which 9 SEZs have been notified in State of West Bengal. A total of 6 SEZs are currently exporting.

 There are no applications pending for setting up of SEZ in the country.

 Annexure

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

DS/RK

(Release ID :95783)

SEZ fiscal incentives promote export-led growth and generate significant state-wise employment under a uniform exemptions framework. Fiscal concessions and duty exemptions under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 provide uniform incentives to promote exports; 577 SEZs approved and 389 notified as of May 2013, with SEZ exports increasing markedly and forming a growing share of national exports between 2008-09 and 2012-13. State-wise employment in SEZs totalled 1,074,904 persons as on 31 March 2013; the release records regional distribution, specific approvals in West Bengal, and states that no SEZ applications are pending.