SurSEZ exports doubled to Rs 5,243.75 crore

Mumbai, June 17: The exports from Surat Special Economic Zone (SurSEZ) have more than doubled to Rs 5,243.75 crore in the financial year ended March 31, as compared to Rs 2,337.77 crore during the corresponding period last year.

SurSEZ chairman S N Sharma told UNI here yesterday that the exports from SurSEZ have crossed Rs 5,200-mark, which is a very important landmark and an achievement for the SurSEZ.

Mr Sharma said from a modest beginning of just Rs 54 crore of exports during the first year that is in 2000-2001, the figure climbed steadily and rapidly to Rs 2,337 crore last year. The cumulative exports of SurSEZ since inception are now around Rs 10,000 crore.

Now, they have fixed a target of Rs 8,000 crore during the current fiscal year, he said.

Giving a segmentwise break-up, he said the highest exports were in Gems and Jewellery at Rs 5,002.90 crore. It was followed by Textile/garment at Rs 66.34 crore, Sofware/Hardware Rs 0.02 crore, Engineering goods Rs 18.44 crore, Pharmaceuticals/Chemicals Rs 16.75 crore and Tobacco/Cigarattes Rs 10.36 crore.

He said the SEZs are the country's preferred vehicles for enhancing effectiveness of Indian industry and making them globally competitive. SEZs are ideally poised to accelerate Indian exports and deliver economic prosperity to the country.

It will also improve the image of the country in the world markets, that is the several foreign companies are eagerly awaiting for sanction of plot to set up a business in SurSEZ. To accommodate foreign companies, the SurSEZ has sought an extension of the surrounding land, the proposal for which is still pending with Union Ministry, he said.

There are 136 units set up in the SEZ and they are doing well. In current fiscal year, 50 more industries are likely to come, Mr Sharma informed.

He said this achievement was a tribute to the units of SurSEZ which had worked tirelessly to promote Indian exports. The Diamond and Gems Development Corporation (DGDC) has been striving to give these units a conducive business environment and all support where they can flourish, he said.

UNI