Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) has conducted a Study to carry out a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Policy and other related aspects. It has made a number of recommendations which inter-alia include strengthening of Single Window Clearance by better coordination between Department of Commerce and state governments, integration of SEZs with domestic economy, improving the institutional and administrative framework for SEZs, aggressive marketing of SEZs, stability in SEZ policy, different incentives for different sectors in SEZs and allowing best Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rates for domestic clearance for SEZ manufacturing units.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

SEZ policy reform proposing eased domestic sale rules and allowing best FTA rates for clearance. Recommendations propose strengthening Single Window Clearance via better centre-state coordination, improving SEZ institutional and administrative frameworks, ensuring policy stability, adopting sector-specific incentives and aggressive marketing, and permitting SEZ manufacturers to clear goods domestically at the most favourable Free Trade Agreement rates to facilitate integration with the domestic economy.