CSEZ clocks record growth in exports

Kochi, Apr 4 (UNI) Riding on a 70 per cent growth in the gems and jewellery exports, Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) has recorded a total exports of Rs 4,652 crore in 2007-08 against Rs 1,037.52 crore during the previous year.

CSEZ, which is celebrating its silver jubilee on April six, amassed exports of Rs 250 crore and Rs 120 crore in electronics and software respectively, Zone Development Commissioner C J Mathew told newspersons here today.

He said at present the zone had 119 units out of which 101 units were in operation and the remaining under various stages of implementation.

''The zone had given an expansion proposal to the Kerala Government, for which it had acquired 200 acres of land in Cherthala in neighbouring Alappuzha district, as there were lot of investment proposals from various countries eyeing the human resources edge in the state,'' he said.

Mr Mathew said the units manufacture a wide range of products in various sectors like software, electronics, textiles, engineering, gems and jewellery, ceramic and food.

The zone, the largest employment destination in Kerala, employs as many as 11,358 people out of which 5,034 were women, he noted.

The zone, situated in 103 acres of land, had one of the best infrastructures in India with the Centre investing around Rs 100 crore for the development of infrastructure, Mr Mathew said.

The multi-product zone, which came into existence through a resolution passed by the Department of Commerce, Government of India, in 1983, had MNCs like Tyco, Baird McNutt and Indian companies like Hidustan Lever, Tatas, AVT, Leela and Nest.

As part of the six-month silver jubilee celebrations, which would be inaugurated by Governor R L Bhatia, a National Seminar on the 'Advantages of SEZ' and afforestation campaign in the zone.

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