April-December Exports from Special Economic Zones dip 1.89%

Exports from special economic zones (SEZs) declined 1.89 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3.41 lakh crore in April-December 2015, Parliament was informed on Monday. In 2014-15 too, exports from these zones fell 6.13 per cent to Rs 4.63 lakh crore. In order to boost exports from SEZs, the government periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of these zones and takes necessary steps to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZs, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. She also said that during the last three years and current financial year (up to February 2016), the Board of Approval (BoA) has granted more time to as many as 132 developers of SEZs across the country to complete projects. The BoA is an inter-ministerial body headed by the Commerce Secretary, dealing in SEZ-related issues.