Guj takes frontal position with 51 SEZs

Ahmedabad, Feb 14 (UNI) Gujarat Government has taken a frontal position in the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZ), with its right strategy, Special Economic Zone Development Commissioner Ravi Saxena stated.

Speaking to mediapersons at a one-day long workshop on 'Development of SEZs in Gujarat' held here today, Mr Saxena said, early initiatives such as enacting of Gujarat SEZ Act, even before the Central Government, has given an edge to Gujarat compared to other states of the country.

''Gujarat Government has proposals to set up a total of 51 SEZs in the state. Of these, at present three are operational, 13 approved in principles, 19 with formal approvals and 16 others are notified.'' he said.

Of them, 35 SEZs, which have crossed the stages of formal approvals and are notified, will be developed at a proposed investment of Rs 1,06,924.15-Crore and would provide employment (direct and indirect) to nearly 5,47,000 people. Of these, at present Rs 34,599-cr have already been invested, providing employment to over 15,000 people, Mr Saxena said.

He also announced that eight Central Government controlled SEZs -- Kandla, Falta, Noida, Vishakhapattnam, Cochin, Madras, Santacruz and Indore -- would be soon made as autonomous bodies.

However, he refused to disclose time frame for it.

UNI MP SR SB RN2145