EPZs being converted into SEZs

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) Some of the existing Export Processing Zones (EPZs)are being converted into Sepcial Economic Zones(SEZs), the Lok Sabha was told today.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said in a written answer that while announcing the Special Economic Zones Policy as a part of the Export Import Policy on March 31, 2000, it was also announced that some EPZs would be converted into SEZs.

The Government, he said, had inssued notification for conversion of Kandla Free Trade Zone EPZs Surat EPZs, Santa Cruz Electronics EPZ Mumbai and Cochin EPZ into SEZs with effect from November 1,2000 and conversion of NOIDA, Vishakhapatnam, Falta and Madras EPZs into SEZs from January 2003.

The provisions for conversion of EPZs into SEZs were contained in the Export Import Policy, he said.

The export, made by units in these Zones from the date of conversion till November 30 2006 are Rs 90,214 crore, the Minister said.

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