Introduction
India is one of world’s largest industrialized nations with a sizeable pool of technically trained and committed manpower, sound legal system, strong political will and institutional framework based on western business models. Since liberalization in 1991, it has emerged as an ideal location for setting up business ventures for export production.
Amongst various schemes for export promotion, the scheme for setting up SEZs and EOUs has achieved remarkable success. This is evident from the fact that the share of SEZ units & Export Oriented Units (EOUs) in the national exports has gone up from 10 per cent in 2004-05 to about 29 per cent in 2014-15. Under the scheme, a SEZ Unit can be set up in any of the seven Government SEZs (erstwhile Export Processing Zones) or in a State / Private sector SEZ while EOUs can be set up outside SEZ across the country as per territorial jurisdiction of concerned Development Commissioner.
The EOU Scheme introduced in the year 1981, is complimentary to the SEZ Scheme (Erstwhile EPZ Scheme). It provides the internationally competitive duty free environment for export production and offers wide options in locations with reference to factors like source of raw-materials, port of exports, availability of skilled manpower.
Moradabad SEZ the only Uttar Pradesh Government Developed SEZ in the northern India, headed by the Development Commissioner, Noida SEZ and locally governed by the Asststant Development Commissioner, was set up in 2003 at Pakbara – Dingarpur Road in Moradabad on a 421.565 acre plot of land. Government of UP through UPSIDC Limited being developers to this SEZ project has so far invested a sum of Rs. 1100 million on its development. Moradabad SEZ provides excellent infrastructure, supportive services and sector specific facilities for the Handicraft Trade. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR and availability of skilled and dedicated manpower makes it ideal for setting up various industries in Handicrafts & its allied filed.
This is a sector Special Economic Zone for handicraft products. Provision for infrastructure facilities such as: – greenbelt, boundary wall, internal development, security system, power substation, CETP, inland container depot, design and training center, helipad, school, canteen has been made.
Moradabad SEZ was operationalized since April, 2007 when it started with only one unit, however till today in spite of global slowdown in the handicraft trade for past four years; this zone has now 58 operational Units as on 30.06.2021. Moradabad SEZ has a total of 478 developed plots of varying sizes. Future expansion of this has been strategically planned and soon it will be available for few more export sectors.
Infrastructure, supportive services and trade related facilities have been substantially upgraded during the last few years. Moradabad SEZ offers access to global telecommunication network, uninterrupted power supply and efficient local transport system. An ultra modern RSU Telephone Exchange has been installed in the Zone, besides the availability of all the mobile frequencies in and around the zone through various mobile communication towers. An independent feeder line has since been provided for uninterrupted power supply, the reliability and quality of power supply has improved with the pre-commissioned 32 / 11 KVA / 5.0 MVA Power Sub-station within Moradabad SEZ. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR provides easy access to financial and commercial infrastructure of the capital. Customs Wing ensures prompt and on the spot clearances of export/import consignments through web based system called “sezonline”. Supportive infrastructure and easy availability of manpower make Moradabad SEZ an ideal location for setting up handicraft unit. Facility of ICD is available inside the zone which is operated by the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), Moradabad and which is linked to the rail-head available at Moradabad ICD in city.
Moradabad SEZ provides Pre-establishment support in obtaining clearances/approvals from various statutory authorities through a very effective “single window system” operated locally in zone by the Assistant Development Commissioner. Moradabad SEZ ’s developed infrastructure, procedural ease and supportive services are its main attractions. Moradabad SEZ has been declared as a ‘Port of Import & Export’ on the lines of Inland Container Depot ICD and the online filing facilities of application is operational through a dedicated EDI system called “sezonline”. The service centre at Moradabad SEZ provides excellent facility for banking, insurance, telephone, broadband internet, leased line internet, restaurant, canteen etc. Cleanliness and sanitation and top on that the Security of the Zone is accorded on top priority and dedicated staff of the Moradabad SEZ is always there to extend their helping hand for overall growth and development of exports trade.