MEPZ export turnover touches Rs 2,462 crore

Chennai, June 6: The Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) with an investment of Rs 671.67 crore has contributed to an export turnover of Rs 2,462 crore in 2006-2007, registering a growth of 29.5 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

MEPZ officials told sources here that against a total import of Rs 1,201 crore for the financial year 2006-2007, the export was Rs 2,462 crore reflecting an NFE of 104 per cent.

More than 100 units in this zone were SMEs employing nearly 20,000 people and contributing nearly 70 per cent of the export turnover in the last financial year.

The manufacturing sector account for 70 per cent of the export turnover and 30 per cent comes from the IT, Gem and Jewellery and trading sectors.

With an investment of Rs 1,561 crore as on March 31 this year, the other units such as Nokia, ETL, Flextronics and Mahindra World City have altogether contributed to an export turnover of Rs 6,905 crore.

MEPZ administration monitors the functioning of 100 per cent EOU's as well.

Meanwhile, about 500 units spread over the state employing 63,077 people have contributed an export turnover of Rs 7,558 crore for the year 2005-2006, which was expected to touch Rs 9,214 crore during the 2006-2007 fiscal, official said.

UNI