May 30, 2017: In order to familiarise potential investors with investment opportunities at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Special Economic Zone (SEZ), JNPT along with World Free Zone Organisation (WFZO), Geneva and Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZs (EPCES) had organised an half day session at Navi Mumbai. JNPT, India’s no.1 container port is developing 277 Ha of multi-product SEZ to enhace the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing sector in the global markets. The session had panel discussions on industry relevant topics like GST, port-led industrialisation and SEZ along with networking session and site visit for the investors.
The session took place in the presence of key dignitaries, Anil Diggikar, Chairman, JNPT; Dr John Joseph, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Nhava Sheva, E Sabri Ergen, Consul General of Turkey; NV Kulkarni, Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax; Deepak Matta, Director, NACEN; VP Shukla, Joint Development Commissioner, Mumbai; Pravin Chandra, Joint Development Commissioner, Pune; PC Nambiar, Secretary, World Free Zone Organisation, Geneva; Robin Banerjee, Managing Director, Caprihans India; S Madhabhavi Chief Manager (Port Planning & Development), JNPT; Dr C Unnikrishnan, Chief Manager (Traffic), JNPT and S Sittarasu, CEO, JNPT SEZ.
This was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Role of Port based SEZ in industrial development of India’ was moderated by Shivaprasad Raja of Boston Consulting Group. Besides providing excellent logistics facility to the industries, all the panelists agreed that infrastructure at JNPT SEZ would aid significantly in providing actual Ease of Conducting Business to the investors. JNPT has already allocated over Rs 500 crore in developing the land and providing utilities like water, power, road, STP for industries to enable ‘plug-n-play‘ facility for the investors. Shukla mentioned in the panel discussion,“Units just need to approach the Unit Approval Committee (UAC) to get the required approvals. Approval from UAC means units have got all the required approvals- environmental, fire and safety etc.”
The second panel discussion on the topic ‘Impact of GST on SEZ’ was moderated by Nambiar. With new GST rules coming into force, the panel discussion was very apt in bringing together customs and tax commissioners to bring clarity in the minds of the investors. Dr. Joseph said, “JNPT SEZ will provide 24X7 customs operations with custom clearances happening quickly. JNPT SEZ will enjoy zero rated imports, meaning inputs – from both domestic and international markets, would have zero duties. A SEZ unit will enjoy duty free imports and exports. JNPT SEZ very well complements government’s initiative to promote ease of doing business along with the GST rules.
Post the lunch and the networking session, investors visited the SEZ site to see the actual on-ground development. Work on facilities such as – Common effluent treatment plant, water supply distribution network, power supply distribution, network supply through three 33/11 kv switching stations, fibre optics connection, up to 60 m row internal road network, sewage collection and treatment system, solid waste management, in-house treatment for biodegradable are going on in full swing.
The SEZ comes with unmatched business incentives of all taxes and duty benefits under SEZ Act, world-class utilities under one-roof, customizable plot sizes and best in class connectivity – all these establish JNPT SEZ as the preferred investment destination in India for its value propositions.