The government is committed to facilitate ease of doing business. Following initiatives have been taken by the Government for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which are presently under implementation:

1.  Service Delivery - Activities related to Developers and Units in SEZs were identified and timelines for completion of the said activities were prescribed and implemented. It was launched on 14.08.2014 in all Zones. This is being monitored by Development Commissioners regularly.

2.  Digitization and online processing of various activities relating to SEZ Developers and Units has been introduced in all Zones from 01.11.2014. The option of either filing applications online or in hardcopy is available to Developers/Units till 31.12.2014. Thereafter, from 01.01.2015, only online applications for all activities (except for setting up of new SEZs) will be entertained from Developers and Units.

3.  Standardisation of procedures, practices and forms in all SEZs has been implemented from 28.10.2014. Procedures for regulating certain activities which were not indicated in SEZ Act and Rules have been standardised, e.g. :-

•  Utilization of goods by the Developer / Co-Developer,

•  Approval of material for authorised operations by Developer / Co-Developer

 •  Information required for renewal of LoA for 5 years

•  Format for lease deed and its renewal, and

•  Format for Annual Performance Report of the Units has been revised and simplified.

4.  The mechanism for redressal of grievances of SEZ Developers / Units and its monitoring has been revisited and implemented in all the Zones.

Digitization of SEZ processes expands mandatory online filing, streamlines approvals and standardises procedural compliance for developers and units. Administrative reforms in Special Economic Zones establish a monitored service delivery framework with prescribed timelines and introduce digitisation to transition applications to mandatory online filing, while procedural standardisation harmonises forms and practices-covering goods utilisation, material approvals, LoA renewal information, lease deed formats and simplified annual reporting-and a revised grievance redressal and monitoring mechanism has been implemented for developers and units.