DGFT to help Ministry of Commerce to run SEZs

Kolkata, Dec 12 (UNI) Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)will help the Ministry of Commerce appointed Development Commissioners to develop and run the SEZs properly.

Speaking at a seminar organised by Indian chamber of Commerce here today, DGFT Zonal Joint Director Manoj Kumar said the Union government has approved 300 new SEZs in India. There is scarcity of manpower and the Centre has appointed Development Commissioners only in seven SEZs. DGFT would fill up that gap.

''We have our presence in 32 cities and we will assist the Development Commissioners in various locations,'' he said.

Union Goverment has already framed SEZ Act and DGFT has assisted the Centre in putting the SEZ Act in place, he mentioned. DGFT was part of the Board of Approvals which was the highest body framing the SEZ Act. Every state government, including West Bengal, have also framed their own SEZ Acts and rules,'' he said.

Talking about export potential of West Bengal, he said, ''Fourteen SEZs have been planned in the state. Three are already running successfully. The state has good infrastructural facilities and I expect the export from this region to grow substantially,'' he said.

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