At the instance of the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (SEZEPC), a meeting was taken by Shri Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, SEZ division, Department of Commerce at 11 am on 7.4.2026 in Vanijya Bhawan to review the outstanding issues related to improving Ease of Doing Business in respect of SEZs and EOUs.

The meeting was attended by Shri Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, SEZ Division, D/o Commerce and Shri Gaurav Anand, Director, SEZ Division, D/o Commerce.

From the SEZEPC side, Shri Alok Chaturvedi, Director General, Shri Srikanth Badiga, (Group Director , Phoenix Group), Chairman , Shri  Sunil Rallan (CMD, J. Matadee Free Trade Zone), Vice Chairman, Shri Vilas Gupta (MD Taurus Englobe Limited), Member Governing Council, Shri Sunil Puri (Director, Yasen Lighting Private Limited) , Regional Chairman , NSEZ, SEZEPC, Shri Anil Malhotra, MD, TUF Metallurgical Pvt Ltd, Mr E Shankar, Director, OnnSynex Ventures Pvt Ltd, Shri Ramesh R. , Director and Ms Rita Verma, Manager, Flextronics Technologies (India) Ltd, Shri Prakashsingh Thakur, GM, GIFT SEZ were present.

Shri Alok Chaturvedi, Director General presented the issues related to improving Ease of Doing Business being faced by SEZs and EOUs. A copy of the presentation and background note are attached.

Due to shortage of time, the following key issues could be discussed:

1. Implementation Issues regarding the recent notification for conditional concessional custom duty for SEZ to Domestic Tariff Area sales. It was decided to collate the problems/doubts being faced by the SEZ units and then a doubt clearing sessions may be held urgently.
2. Compliance burden due to 100% endorsement of invoices by SEZ Customs for the supply of services and goods from DTA to SEZs. Request to make it automatic/self-certification basis with risk-based post audit. NSDL is in discussion with GSTN and ICEGATE for the same.
3. Streamlining of multiple and complex reporting of same information by services units in SEZs to different regulatory bodies like RBI, Development Commissioner, etc. NSDL was asked to develop a streamlined portal for the same.
4. Unnecessary harassment of SEZ units due to demand notices from Income Tax Authorities for payment of TDS on rental payment to SEZ Authorities due to non-issue of exemption certificate under Section 10(46), IT Act to SEZ Authorities. It was decided to expedite having exemption certificate by SEZ Authority immediately.
5. Discontinuation of illegal Export Duty on DTA to SEZ supplies in view of Supreme Court dismissal of Government appeal. The matter is under discussion with the D/o Legal Affairs. However, export duty is not being charged now.
6. Problems being faced by SEZ units due to lack of infrastructure and other facilities in AMRL HiTech City SEZ in Tamil Nadu due to NCLT proceedings against the AMRL group. The problem is due to NCLT proceedings and Resolution Professional (RP) is managing the company. DC, MEPZ is in regular touch with the RP.
7. Amendment in SEZ Rule 43 by permitting SEZ units for doing job work for DTA units without any linkage to exports. It was assured that this will be taken up immediately in consulatation with DGEP.
8. Allowing RoDTEP benefits to exports through FTWZs. It was assured that the discussions are being held with DGFT in this regard.
9. Permitting SEZ developers to have Rooftop solar power plants with SEZ fiscal benefits. The issue is being addressed in consultation with DGEP.
10. Considering SEZ to MOOWR supplies as NFE positive under SEZ Rule 53 A9j).This will be addressed urgently.

It was also decided to have a regular meeting to review pending EoDB issues being faced by the SEZs and EOUs on the day of the meeting of the Board of Approval.

There were other issues which could not be taken up due to shortage of time. It was decided to have a separate discussion on the problems of Free Trade and Warehousing Zones (FTWZs) separately.

SEZEPC