Question : AGRO PROCESSING SEZ

(a) whether the Government proposes to promote agro-processing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for value addition to domestic agricultural produce, dairy and poultry processing;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether there is any proposal to allow domestic sale from agro-processing SEZs to domestic tariff areas without charging any custom duty on processing of raw materials procured from within the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the steps taken by the Government to make domestic agro-processing units competitive in the free trade era?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): Since Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Act and Rules were notified in February, 2006, formal approvals have been granted for setting up of 11 SEZs for Agro and Food Processing, out of which, 9 SEZs have been notified. Many of these SEZs are in the process of becoming operational. The total physical exports from these SEZs in 2011-12, have been to the tune of Rs. 1792.3 crore. The Units engaged in the manufacture of agro and food products are mainly exporting products including those manufactured using castor oil, processed graded spices, canned tuna fish, seer fish, shrimp, squid, cuttle fish, packaged tea and coffee, fruits, coconut shells, snack items and mixed vegetables etc. Fiscal concessions and duty benefits are extended to SEZ Developers as well as units as per the provisions of SEZ Act, 2005 and Rules made thereunder.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) & (e) Not applicable in view of (c) above