: Mumbai, May 28, 2022

The Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone-Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ-SEZ) commenced its Golden Jubilee celebrations today.  

The inaugural event today commenced with a vintage-car drive flagged off by the SEEPZ Development Commissioner, Shri Shyam Jagannathan. Held in association with the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI), participation from the Mumbai’s leading vintage-car owners and connoisseurs was witnessed today. This was followed by the inaugural function where a short film encapsulating the significance of SEEPZ-SEZ and its myriad facets was screened.

Speaking on the occasion, SEEPZ Development Commissioner Shri Jagannathan shared his vision for SEEPZ-SEZ 2.0, which involves a major overhaul of the cluster. He gave details about the Rs 200-cr redevelopment plan to refurbish and rejuvenate SEEPZ-SEZ; the project was announced by the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, Shri Piyush Goyal last year. It includes the establishment of a mega Common Facility Centre (CFC), the first of its kind in the country, which will provide cutting-edge technology as well as hi-tech machinery for manufacturing and other allied processes in gems and jewellery. The mega CFC will empower small manufacturers, train and upskill them as well as help them scale up their quality of production.  It’s an Rs 80-crore project, which is targeted for completion by May 1, 2023. The other plans include two new SDF (Standard Design Factory) buildings, where members of the oldest SDF buildings – 1 & 2 - will be shifted. The complete makeover of the existing Government building at SEEPZ and positioning it as SEEPZ 2.0- all of these will be accomplished by May 1, 2023, he stated.

The Development Commissioner further said, “SEEPZ has witnessed phenomenal growth in the previous year and achieved record exports exceeding Rs 1.50 lakh crores, investment of more than Rs 80,000 crores and employment generation for 5,60,000 people”. Total Exports of the Entire Zone with 694 units during FY 2021-22 stood at Rs 1,54,328 crore.

Shri Jagannathan also informed that a host of activities like cultural evenings, dance and drama, awards functions, blood donation camps, marathons and cyclothons, cricket tournaments will mark the golden jubilee year celebrations of the India’s India’s key export promotion destination with the single largest concentration of gems and jewellery units (over 180) worldwide, plus engineering, electronics hardware (non-IT), software (IT/ ITeS), services & trading units (non-jewellery) recording merchandise exports worth over Rs 27,000 crore annually.

All the former Development Commissioners who have steered the SEZ since 1973 were felicitated on the occasion. The First Development Commissioner who took charge of the SEZ in 1973, Shri S. Rajagopal, in his video message, narrated the story of SEEPZ since its inception.  

The Joint Development Commissioner, SEEPZ Shri CPS Chauhan made a brief presentation highlighting key aspects and achievements. A brochure was released on the occasion and an exhibition showcasing the 50-year journey of SEEPZ-SEZ, as well its biodiversity and modernization plans was opened for viewing.  The Joint CEO of MIDC Shri Sriram Naik and trade members were also present amongst the dignitaries.

Set up on May 1, 1973 as a single product EPZ for electronic items as per a notification by the Government of India, its scope was extended to cover gems and jewellery in 1987-88. It was declared one of India’s first Special Economic Zones in 2000 and then a multi-sector SEZ in December 2019.  There are over 180 jewellery units within SEEPZ-SEZ, doing a significant quantum of export business for gems & jewellery and other merchandise. Overseas, the jewellery manufactured here is well-known as SEEPZ jewellery, indicating its high brand recognition and value. SEEPZ-SEZ alone accounts for a quarter of the jewellery imports of the USA, the world’s largest consumer of jewellery. It contributes to 53% of India’s studded jewellery export as well as 31% of total jewellery export from the country.

Notably, SEEPZ-SEZ was one of the few institutions to have performed remarkably well during the pandemic year of 2021-2022 – with 309 units it recorded exports over 61% higher than previous year. At present, 37 operational SEZs across the State of Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu come under the jurisdiction of the Zonal Development Commissioner, SEEPZ-SEZ, hosting Make In India companies like Serum Institute of India. Parts manufacturers of the ventilators that helped save lives during the pandemic as well as PCBs for ISRO Chandrayan Mission also have their units in the Zone.

An overview of SEEPZ-SEZ achievement over the last 50 years may be accessed here.

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SC/PK/MAS

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