• Port SEZs all set to sail through.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: August 20, 2008
Synopsis: The uncertainty over fate of port-based special economic zones (SEZs) is set to end soon. The commerce department and the finance ministry are close to sealing an agreement on handling of goods in such zones. The new guidelines demarcating responsibilities between the two departments were approved at a recent meeting of the CBEC.

• Pondy government to promote SEZs to boost industrial growth.

Publication: Financial Express, Puducherry.
Date: August 12, 2008
Synopsis: The government of Puducherry will promote Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to facilitate industrial growth, exports and employment generation, according to V Vaithilingam, minister for industries & power, government of Puducherry.

• Multi-product SEZ at Nellore.

Publication: Financial Express, Nellore.
Date: August 09, 2008
Synopsis: Call it a welcome coincidence of growth and development path, the multi-product SEZ at the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, about 55 km from Chennai, promises a lot in terms of development towards the growth and development between the two cities and the coastal areas of the neighbouring states.

• IT SEZs in Hyderabad face problem of plenty.

Publication: The Hindu, Hyderabad.
Date: August 09, 2008
Synopsis: Commercial office space in the IT special economic zones (SEZs) in the city will face a problem of plenty with at least two million sq. ft remaining unabsorbed by this year-end. This is 20 per cent of the 10 million sq. ft of the total space, either occupied by the IT companies or that is available.

• EGOM retains land ceiling on SEZs.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: August 08, 2008
Synopsis: Unwilling to upset the special economic zone (SEZ) applecart months before general elections, the government on Thursday decided against any policy changes on politically sensitive issues such as removing the land ceiling and relaxing the ban on compulsory land acquisition for SEZs by states.

• SEZs run into stamp duty wall.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: June 09, 2008
Synopsis: Special economic zones (SEZs) could be in for some tax trouble from the states. States have questioned the stamp duty exemption given by the Centre under the SEZ Act. Some state governments have objected to the Centre’s power to provide such a tax sop, and termed the move to exempt stamp duty under the Indian Stamp Act as ultra vires.

• PM's panel favours 10% MAT on SEZs.

Publication: Business Standard, New Delhi.
Date: May 19, 2008
Synopsis: The Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council has recommended the imposition of 10 per cent minimum alternative tax (MAT) on industrial units in SEZs as a compromise to end the spat between the ministries of commerce and finance over sops to these tax-free zones.

• SEZs will drive India's infrastructure.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: April 16, 2008
Synopsis: The merits or otherwise of special economic zones (SEZs) are under a raging debate in India but the realty industry is upbeat about the prospect of such zones and says it will drive infrastructure development in the country. 

• SEZs need to work within timelines.

Publication: Business Standard, New Delhi.
Date: March 24, 2008
Synopsis: To check undue proliferation of special economic zones (SEZs), approval given to such enclaves should be cancelled if they do not start functioning within a timeframe. SEZs are essentially a good thing. Because they are helping us in inflow of investments and generating employment. But you should not have SEZs just for the sake of SEZs. 

• Panel lays out SEZ guidelines.

Publication: Indian Express, New Delhi.
Date: March 18, 2008
Synopsis: Use of prime agricultural land should be avoided while establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has recommended. It has also suggested that the number of SEZs itself be limited, with a “larger minimum size with locations preferably in backward areas so that they act as nuclei for economic growth”. 

• No plans to amend SEZ Act: Govt.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: March 13, 2008
Synopsis: Despite mounting pressure from the Left allies, Government has made it clear that it has no plans to amend the Special Economic Zone Act saying it is "working well". Special economic zones have become important engines of economic growth. 

• MPEDA plans to set up two marine SEZs.

Publication: Business Standard, Kochi.
Date: February 07, 2008
Synopsis: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is planning to set up two special economic zones (SEZs) exclusively for marine products. Joint ventures (JVs) with foreign companies will be encouraged, as consolidation is common in the seafood industry globally. 

• Mega SEZs maybe freed from space jam.

Publication: Financial Express, New Delhi.
Date: January 28, 2008
Synopsis: The 5,000-hectare restriction on building multi-product special economic zones may soon go. The government will discuss the matter at a much-awaited empowered group of ministers (eGoM) meeting, now scheduled for February 4. 

• SEZs: grounded before take-off?

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: January 21, 2008
Synopsis: SEZs in India have attracted a lot of public attention in the year that went by, and most of it has been negative. Year 2007 saw the concepts of SEZ come under the scanner with, Nandigram, Navi Mumbai and very recently Goa. 

• States can't scrap notified SEZs: Centre.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: January 03, 2008
Synopsis: Centre today said state governments do not have the power to scrap notified special economic zones although they can seek cancellation of those that are in the pipeline. "There is no provision under law (for states) to recommend de-notification. 

• Centre clears 34 Special Economic Zones.

Publication: Economic Times, New Delhi.
Date: January 03, 2008
Synopsis: The Centre today approved 34 fresh proposals for Special Economic Zones taking the total number of clearances to over 600 tax-free zones.