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After attracting maximum investments, Gujarat has now emerged as the No 1 SEZ state.

With approximately 15,000 hectares of state land going for SEZs, Gujarat tops the national chart in terms of geographical area occupied by SEZs. The Board of Approvals recently okayed five more Gujarat projects, taking the total number of SEZs to 47. In terms of area under SEZs, Maharashtra comes a close second with around 11,500 hectares, Andhra Pradesh (11,000 hectares), Tamil Nadu (5,000 hectares and Orissa (2,500 hectares).

According to ministry of commerce sources, Maharashtra has the maximum number of SEZs (75) followed by Andhra Pradesh (over 60) and Tamil Nadu (nearly 60). But as far as the total area falling under SEZ is concerned, data available on the commerce ministry website puts Gujarat on the top. Three more proposals are likely to come up before the BoA next month. If all of them are approved, the total tally will touch 50.

The country’s top corporates such as Tata, Reliance, Essar, Adani, Welspun and Satyam, just to name a few, have lined up huge investments in the state. Analysts say Gujarat has good mix of sectors as far as SEZs are concerned.Contrary to the national trend, the state has lesser number of IT SEZs and more projects which are driven by manufacture.

News Source: Economic Times