The first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was set up in 1959 at Shannon, in Ireland. India is one of the first countries in Asia to recognize the effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) model in promoting export. India was inspired by China for setting up of SEZ. Asia’s First EPZ was set up in Kandla in 1965.
Government of India first introduced the concept of SEZ in the export import policy 2000 with a view to provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports. SEZ refers to a specially demarcated territory usually known as ‘deemed foreign territory’ with tax holidays, exemption from duties for export and import, world level economic and social infrastructure for production and augmentation of export activities within the territory along with facilities like abundant and relatively cheap labour, strategic location and market access etc. http://sezindia.nic.in/about-introduction.asp
After this, the existing FTZs/EPZs have been converted to SEZ. Difference between SEZ and EPZ http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rmar2003/03032003/r030320034.html
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-sez-and-vs-epz/#ixzz1TCLAcQyS
Details of SEZs established\notified prior to SEZ Act, 2005: http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/List_of_SEZs__approved_prior_to_the_SEZ_Act.pdf
Details of SEZs notified under SEZ Act, 2005: http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Contact-details-SEZs-notified-under-SEZAct-2005.pdf
THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE ACT 2005: The act provides the umbrella legal framework, covering all important legal and regulatory aspects for setting up of SEZ’s as well units operating in SEZ. The guidelines of act, amendments and some instructions regarding setting up of SEZ are given here:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/SEZ%20Act,%202005.pdf http://sezindia.nic.in/goi-policies-sra.asp http://sezindia.nic.in/instructions.asp
The central government gives the special economic zones viz, special tax incentives for foreign investments in the SEZs, greater independence on international trade activities, listed separately in the national planning (including financial planning) and have province- level authority on economic administration. For facilities and incentives provided to SEZ are http://sezindia.nic.in/about-fi.asp
The major objectives of setting up a SEZ are to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), earn foreign exchange and contribute to exchange rate stability, boost the export sector especially non traditional exports, to create employment opportunities, introduce new technology, develop backward regions etc. by stimulating sectors as electronics, information technology, R & D, tourism, infrastructure and human resource development that are regarded as strategically important to the economy.
The guidelines for setting up a SEZ are given below as documented by govt. of India:
http://sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/SEZ%20Act,%202005.pdf
Minimum requirements for setting up a SEZ are http://www.sezindia.nic.in/develop-sez-happly.asp
List of operational SEZ in India http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/ListofoperationalSEZs.pdf
List of approved SEZs in India List of Formal approvals http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/ListofFormalapprovals.pdf List of valid in-principle approvals http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Listofin-principleapprovals.pdf State wise Distribution of SEZ http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/StatewiseDistribution-SEZ.pdf Sector wise Distribution of SEZ http://www.sezindia.nic.in/writereaddata/pdf/Sector-wise%20distribution-SEZ.pdf
Some SEZs in India are
- Seepz Special Economic Zone
- Kandla Special Economic Zone
- Noida Special Economic Zone
- Falta Special Economic Zone
- Vishakhapatnam Special Economic Zone
- Madras Special Economic Zone
- Cochin Special Economic Zone
