Commerce Ministry Calls Stakeholders Meet On SEZ Reforms

06 Jul 2026 CW Team

The Commerce Ministry has convened a stakeholders meeting on June 30 in New Delhi to discuss issues related to special economic zones, an official said. The gathering will focus on the harmonisation of export promotion schemes and wider SEZ reforms. The initiative follows concerns raised by industry and policymakers about the regulatory framework governing these enclaves.

Deliberations are expected to cover payments in Rs for SEZs to domestic tariff area services, arrangements for job work by units in these zones for the domestic tariff area without export linkage, measures for import substitution and reforms to free trade warehousing zones. The agenda will also include proposals aimed at further improving ease of doing business in SEZs.

The Government has constituted a 17-member committee to propose broader policy reforms. The panel is undertaking a background study focused on the harmonisation of existing export promotion schemes, including special economic zones, export-oriented units (EoUs), Manufacturing and Other Operations in Warehouse and Registration (MOOWR), Advance Authorisation (AA), export promotion for capital goods (EPCG) and Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA).

The committee is to submit a concept paper recommending a roadmap for a comprehensive SEZ two point zero policy. Officials indicated the review is timely because the SEZ law was framed in 2005 when Indian trade policy and global dynamics were markedly different. The legal treatment of these zones as foreign territories for customs, with limits on duty-free domestic sales, remains a core issue.

Data show total exports from these zones dipped to United States dollar (USD) 133.45 bn in 2025-26 from USD 172.07 bn in 2024-25. There are 276 operational special economic zones with 6,695 units in the country. Stakeholders will meet to align rules and streamline procedures ahead of the committee's policy recommendations.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..