Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) in Gujarat was
the first Indian SEZ. It was set up in 1965 and in fact KASEZ was the
first SEZ to be set up in Asia. Kandla SEZ is also the largest
multi-product SEZ in India, spread over 1.2 sq miles. Kandla SEZ is
located just 9 km away from the modern-all-weather Indian port of
Kandla.
India was one of the first countries in Asia to recognize the
effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) model in promoting
exports. To overcome the shortcomings experienced on account of the
multiplicity of controls and clearances; absence of world-class
infrastructure, and an unstable fiscal regime and with a view to attract
larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Policy was announced in April 2000.
