Digitisation of land data, updating of websites periodically, and holding roadshows by bringing all Special Economic Zones on one platform for aggressive marketing were some of the decisions taken at a meeting conducted by the SEZs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh here on Thursday.
After the meeting, Development Commissioner of Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone S. Kishore, who is in-charge of the SEZs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Yanam, said SEZs recorded a turnover of Rs.32,000 crore during last fiscal.
The programme was organised by the VSEZ in coordination with the CII and the Export Promotion Council for EoUs & SEZs (ECES).
Half of the 109 SEZs are under operation. The total investment made so far is Rs.31,500 crore with employment of 1.58 lakh.
“We are expecting an increase by 10 to 15 per cent in turnover,” Mr. Kishore told reporters.
Mapping of various activities/transactions of the SEZs, prescribing timeline, online clearances and clarification of doubts, and renewal of licence with specific deadlines were some of the suggestions made at the meeting.
The developers presented their strengths and highlighted the facilities created in their zones, and urged investors to avail themselves of the opportunity to do business.
Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City CEO Lak Krishna said that the JNPC at Parawada, with total area of 2,400 acres, had attracted an investment of Rs.7,000 crore and employment of 12,000 with single largest investment of Rs.2,000 crore by Hospira.
GMR vice-president Sreedhar Pothukuchi said they were investing Rs.660 crore on infrastructure at the Kakinada SEZ developed by them in an area of 2,700 acres with focus on promoting food processing and agro products.
Joint Director IT (AP) P.S. Murthy said the proposal for IT Investment Region (ITIR) in Visakhapatnam was now under consideration of the Centre.
Among others, VSEZ Joint Development Commissioner G. Trinadh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner K.V. Prasanna Kumar, EPCES convener-IT/ITES Central Governing Council Srikanth Badiga, DIC Deputy Director Giridhar, Chandrasekhar from Sri City SEZ, and former Vizag zone CII chairman G. Sambasiva Rao were present.
