Cochin Special Economic Zone - A matter of pride

India has been a pioneer in recognising the importance of creating specialised zones to promote exports from the country. The first export processing zone in Asia was set up in Kandla in 1965, and was intended to overcome the limitations resulting from the multiplicity of controls and clearances. Later, with a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000.

The Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) is one of the seven Government of India-owned special economic zones. It was set up in 1983 as a multi-product export processing zone to boost exports from the state of Kerala. This was converted into a special economic zone in November 2000. Spread over an area of 103 acres in the newly-emerging region of Kakkanad, the zone lies equidistant from the sea port and the airport, and is well connected to the national highway network.

CSEZ is a multi-product SEZ, with 108 working units and 18 units under implementation as on March 31, 2011, in sectors as varied as electronic hardware, software, engineering, ready-made garments, food processing, plastics & rubber products and gems & jewellery manufacturing. With more than 12500 employees, it is the singlelargest employment destination in the state. Both multinational corporations and Indian corporates have set up their units in the zone. Its exports during 2010-11 were worth Rs 18312 crore, as against Rs 17099 crore during 2009-10 and Rs 11549 crore during 2008-09, registering a growth of about eight per cent over the previous year.

The jewellery sector has again shown an excellent performance, with over 92 per cent share in exports during the year 2010-11. In the first six months of the current year, the zone has recorded an export performance of Rs 13333.91 crore (as on September 30, 2011). The CSEZ stands out amongst the SEZs in India, as having the best infrastructure for attracting investors globally. A 110/11 kV substation having two transformers, each of 12.5 MVA capacity, and an RMU-based power distribution system, integrated water management system comprising a 2.2 MLD water supply operation and a 1.8 MLD common effluent treatment plant, as well as a warehouse admeasuring an area of 24000 sq. ft. for the temporary storage requirements of the CSEZ units are some of the facilities offered in the zone.

The zone has an efficient drainage network and an incinerator using bio-gas for the disposal of solid waste within the zone. It also has a 35 m3 capacity bio-gas plant to treat vegetable/seafood waste. CSEZ being the only multi-sector SEZ in the state and the smallest in size, the land area stands fully utilised.