GJEPC participated in a high-level stakeholders' meeting convened by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 30 June in New Delhi to deliberate on reforms to India's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework and the harmonisation of export promotion schemes.

Shri Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary (SEZ), addressed the gathering, while Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary, also spoke on the government's ongoing efforts to modernise the SEZ ecosystem.

Representing the Council at the meeting were Sohil Kothari, Convener – SEZ, GJEPC and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.

The discussions focused on key policy issues, including permitting INR payments for services provided by SEZ units to the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA), allowing SEZ units to undertake job work for DTA entities without export linkage, reforms in Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), and further measures to enhance ease of doing business.

The meeting forms part of the government's broader review of India's export promotion framework. A 17-member committee is examining the harmonisation of schemes such as SEZs, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), Manufacturing and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations (MOOWR), Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), and Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA). The committee is expected to recommend a roadmap for a comprehensive SEZ 2.0 policy aligned with current global trade realities.