Download - SEZ_Basics
Special Economic ZoneGroup 1 – Legal Environment
Aarthi V. B.
Abhinandan Choudhury
Aditya Pachori
Ajinkya Ninawe
Akash Mohanty
INTRODUCTION
What is Special Economic Zone?
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s generally applicable economic laws, with the underlying objective being an increase in economic growth and activity through increased foreign investment.
• According to World Bank estimates, as of 2007 there are more than 3,000 projects taking place in SEZs in 120 countries worldwide.
About SEZ
• SEZs are exempt from federal laws regarding taxes, quotas, FDI-bans, labor laws and other restrictive laws in order to make the goods manufactured in the SEZ at a globally competitive price.
• The category SEZ includes free trade zones (FTZ), export processing Zones (EPZ), free Zones (FZ), industrial parks or industrial estates (IE), free ports, free economic zones, and urban enterprise zones.
Origin
• The concept of “special zones” is not new.
• The first industrial park was set up in 1896 in Manchester. “Free trade zones”, designed to promote free trade
• The first export processing zone (EPZ), designed to liberalize both the trade and investment environment, was operationalised in Ireland in 1960.
• Many developing countries adopted the EPZ model, though not much action was seen on this front after the 90s.
Evolution of SEZ - India
Since the 60s, India has seen the emergence of several initiatives to boost exports. They are
• Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Scheme
• Export Oriented Units (EOU) Scheme
• Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme
• Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) Scheme
• Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
• Advance Licensing and Deemed Exports Scheme
• Free Trade Zone(FTZ) Scheme
The Indian Scenario
• First came into inception on April 1, 2000
• Foreign trade policy
• Ad-hoc amendments to different laws, executive orders
• SEZ Act 2005
Objectives of SEZ Act•Generation of additional economic activity
•Promotion of exports of goods and services
•Promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources
•Creation of employment opportunities
•Development of infrastructure facilities
Role of SEZ in Indian Economy• Provides internationally competitive environment
• Encourages FDI and enhance GDP
• Increase share in global exports
SEZ exports account for 23% of India’s total export in 2011-2012
Definitions in Special Economic Zones Act,2005• “Unit" means a Unit set up by an entrepreneur in a Special
Economic Zone and includes an existing Unit, an Offshore Banking Unit and a Unit in an International Financial Services Centre, whether established before or established after commencement of this Act (Section 2(zc) of Special Economic Zones Act ,2005)
• “Offshore Banking Unit” means a branch of a bank located in a Special Economic Zone and which has obtained the permission under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (Section 2(u) of Special Economic Zones Act ,2005)
• “International Financial Services Centre” means an International Financial Services Centre which has been approved by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 18 (Section 2(q) of Special Economic Zones Act ,2005)
DEFINITIONS (contd)• “Entrepreneur” means a person who has been granted
a letter of approval by the Development Commissioner under sub-section (9) of section 15 (Section 2(j) of Special Economic Zones Act ,2005)
• “Existing Unit” means every Unit which has been set up on or before the commencement of this Act (Section 2(l) of Special Economic Zones Act ,2005)
• New Unit Any person, who intends to set up a Unit for carrying on the authorised operations in a Special Economic Zone, may submit a proposal to the Development Commissioner concerned
Administrative Set Up For SEZsGoverned by a three tier administrative set up
1. The Board of Approval is the apex body in the Department
2. The Unit Approval Committee at the Zonal level dealing with approval of units in the SEZs and other related issues
3. Each Zone is headed by a Development Commissioner, who also heads the Unit Approval Committee
Approval Mechanism of SEZs• Proposal for setting up of SEZ in the
Private/Joint/State Sector• State Government• Department of Commerce• Board of Approval
• Proposals for setting up of units in the SEZ• At Zonal level• Development Commissioner, Customs
Authorities,representatives of State Government
• Currently, there are about 143 SEZs operating throughout India
• Additional 634 SEZs that have been formally/principally approved by the Government of India
Advantages of SEZ -Enterprise
• Income tax holiday for 15 years• 100% for the first 5 years• 50% for the next 5 years• 50% for the following 5 years on plough back of profits
• Duty free import/domestic procurement of goods• Exemption from minimum alternate tax• Exemption from Central Sales Tax
Cont…
• Exemption from Service Tax.• Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.• Exemption from requirement of domicile in India for 12 months prior
to appointment as Director.• No strikes would be allowed• Enhanced limit of Rs. 2.40 crores per annum allowed for managerial
remuneration.
Advantages of SEZ - Country
• Economic growth and development – through exports and backward integration• Foreign Investment• Infrastructure development• Employment generation• Up-gradation of managerial and technical skills
Disadvantages of SEZ
To Nation
Loss of Revenue
To Business
Land AcquisitionNo single window facilityNo strategic planning for water, electricity
To People
Grabbing of fertile landWater scarcity- Threat to accessFood scarcityExploitation of laborLandless farmers
To Environment
Ecosystem destructionDestruction of ground water recharge systemPollution
Case
Synefra SEZ, Padubidri 2008
Close to the New Mangalore Port and adjacent to National Highway 17 which passes through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala
Synefra Padubidri SEZ is designed to provide a Gateway to Global Market, for easy export & import
• Spread across an approximate area of 641 acres land with an efficiency of over 80% and a dedicated 210 acres for non process areas, green cover and roads; • Synefra has already leased out 120 acres to hi-tech engineering
companies from across the globe.
Companies presentSWIL Suzlon Wind International limitedSE Blades Suzlon Energy Limited
Flow Chart for Setting up SEZ
SEZ can be formed in two ways
By Applying to SG
By applying to Board of Approval
SG forward the Proposal to BOA
Obtain the concurrence
of SG
BOA approves the
proposal
SG=State Government
Flow Chart for Setting up SEZ contd..
Central Government shall issue letter of Approval to developer
Developer shall furnish to Central Government information about area
Central Government will notify the area as SEZ
SWOT ANALYSIS OF INDIAN SEZ STRENGTH• Based on Western model or SEZ in China• An established legal redressal system • Relatively low labour costs• Employment opportunities• India’s large English speaking and skilled workforce• Exposure to technology and global market
•Worldwide acceptance of capabilities in fields like• Pharmaceutical manufacturing & research• Clinical trials• Manufacturing auto parts• Engineering designing & consultancy, IT & ITES• Malls and hotels• Hospital
• Financial & other institutional Networks like Insurance Companies
WEAKNESS• Poor infrastructure and transport
facilities
• High cost of capital
• Inadequate institutional support
• Political changes
• Inappropriate locations
OPPORTUNITIES
• An alternative manufacturing base, particularly
compared to Chinese SEZs
• Investments in core strength areas like IT and
software products and services.
•New small ports & airports are also being
developed keeping SEZ concept in mind
•A large NRI base who have traditionally invested
less in Greenfield development in India
THREATS• The pattern of buying & selling may not continue. With relocations of industries in other third world countries, new competitors will emerge• opposing interests • Prospect of even more restrictive
labour laws being introduced • Increasing rejection rate for proposals
to establish SEZs
CONCLUSION
•
• scope of human capital formation and technology upgrading effects will widen. • Government to play a pro active role in strengthening these
effects. • linkages between the domestic economy and Special
Economic Zones. •Effects of Special Economic Zones are contingent upon the
success of these zones in attracting Foreign Direct Investment.