KASEZ celebrated 60th Foundation Day

GANDHIDHAM : Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), which is one of the seven operational Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India, promoted and operated by the central government and the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, is celebrating its 60th Foundation Day. As a part of the Foundation Day celebrations, the KASEZ Administration organised an ‘Export Award Function’ on March 7, 2024 at Hotel Radisson, Gandhidham to felicitate its top exporters in various categories, as per a release.

Shri Sanjay K. Mehta, IFS, Chairman, Deendayal Port Trust, was the Chief Guest for the event. Smt. Shubhra , Development Commissioner, Adani Port & SEZ; Shri K. Engineer, IRS, Commissioner, Mundra Customs; Shri P. Anand Kumar, IRS, Commissioner, GST, Kutchh and Shri M. Rammohan Rao, IRS, Commissioner, Customs Kandla were the Guests of Honour for the function. In addition, many dignitaries, Army Personnel, officers of Customs, GST, Income Tax, BSF, the District Industries Centre, the President and office-bearers of the KASEZ Industries Association (KAZEZIA), i.e. Mr Mukesh Parekh, Vice President, KASEZIA, Mr R.G. Chellani, Secretary, KASEZIA, besides representatives of the Unit Holders in KASEZ and media persons were also present during the function.

KASEZ has shown the way

KASEZ is India’s first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) which was inaugurated on 7th March 1965 by the then Prime Minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, and was seamlessly converted into an SEZ with the coming into force of the SEZ Act, 2005 and the SEZ Rules, 2006. The Zone boasts of being home to over 315 units focused on the export market. It is the largest employer in the Kutch District with an employment of around 30,500 workers out of which nearly 40% are female work associates. Major items of export from the Zone are chemicals & allied products, engineering, metallurgical products, cosmetics/toiletry preparations, pharmaceutical products,food, agro products, woven and knitted readymade garments, made-ups, sewing machine needles and other light engineering goods as well as plastics Items. The Zone also has the distinction of hosting several units in the “Circular Economy” segment comprising of 17 units in the worn clothing and 23 units in the plastic recycling sectors. In addition to generation of additional employments, these units are also earning valuable foreign exchange. Since its inception, consistent and continuous growth has been the hallmark of export performance of this Zone with exports showing growth even during the testing times of the pandemic. From a humble export figure of Rs 7 lakh in 1966-67, exports touched Rs 14,698 crore in 2022-23.

Besides excellent infrastructure, its strategic location and proximity to the ports of Kandla & Mundra make KASEZ one of the most sought after destinations for export-focused units. It is just five km away from Kandla Port, India’s largest public sector port, and 60 km from the Adani Port &SEZ, the country’s largest private port. While ensuring that it remains a beehive of business activities, the KASEZ administration has taken steps to make the 1,000-acre expanse of the Zone a green belt with gardens, vistas and fruit-laden trees which enriches the work environment for all the stakeholders. The Administration has planted more than 5 lakh trees in the Zone using the famed Miyawaki technique to increase the green cover and to reduce the carbon footprint of the SEZ. Lease Rent reduction was given at the right time that have also boosted the Export figures of the Zone, further development of 100 acres land will also promote the trade and development in the Kandla Special Economic Zone. Further, KASEZ administration has also given the contract of development of 100 acres land to NBCC Ltd. Nearly 9 % of the total land area of 400 Ha i.e 36.92 Ha (100 Acres) is being developed into 75 plots of size ranging from 2800 sqm to 3300 sqm which is an opportunity ready to be seized by investors. This will also give more opportunity to new manufacturing units to come and set up their units in the KASEZ and work towards the Nation’s growth. KASEZ for has also updated the security system by hiring Army Welfare Placement Organisation which is functioning under Adjutant General’s Branch of Integrated HQ Ministry of Defence for deployment of Ex-servicemen. Credit for the continuous growth in various fields of infrastructure development and export performances in KASEZ as well as other SEZs in Gujarat, can be attributed to innovative initiatives and dynamic leadership given by KASEZ administration.

As a part of the celebration of the Foundation Day, various sports events, Blood Donation Camp and Mini Marathon were organized. In which more than 1000 workers & employees from industries as well as staff & members of their families participated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The sport events started with colourful opening ceremony on 26th January, 2024 and culminated on 1st March, 2024. The winners of the various events were awarded with trophies & medals in a special ‘Sports Award Function’ held on 4th March, 2024. To felicitate its top exporters in various categories KASEZ administration hosted an ‘Export Award Function’ on 7th March, 2024 as culminating event of the Foundation day Function, 2024 at Hotel Radisson, Gandhidham. Various units were awarded in different categories for their excellent performances and the following units were awarded for their excellent performance:-

THE AWARD WINNERS

1. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Food & Agro Products, Agriculture and Plantation” – M/s Gokul Overseas, KASEZ.
2. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and allied products” – M/s Missionpharma Logistics Pvt. Ltd., KASEZ.
3. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Chemical and allied products”- M/s Dyna Glycols Pvt. Ltd., KASEZ.
4. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the “general category of Manufactured Products”- M/s Royal Petro Specialties Pvt. Ltd., KASEZ.
5. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Plastics products “- M/s Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd., KASEZ.
6. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Engineering and Metallurgical Products”- M/s Praj Industries Ltd, KASEZ.
7. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Used Clothing” – M/s Canam International Ltd, KASEZ.
8. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Textiles and Textiles Products” – M/s Strands Textiles Mills Pvt. Ltd. , KASEZ.
9. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Service & Trading”- M/s Ankita Overseas, KASEZ.
10. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Intra-Zone Sales” – M/s Oswal Agrimpex, KASEZ.
11. Highest Export Award for the year 2022-23, in the category of “Warehousing Service” – M/s Milak Warehouse, KASEZ
12. “Best Swachh unit Award” in Non-Pharma category – M/s V. Milak Enterprises (Unit-I & II), KASEZ.
13. “Best Swachh unit Award” in Pharma category – M/s Galentic Pharma India Pvt. Ltd., KASEZ.
14. “Best Green unit Award” of KASEZ – M/s U.S. Clothing India Pvt. Ltd.
15. “Best Employer Award” in KASEZ – M/s Canam International Pvt. Ltd., KASEZ.
16. “Best SEZ of Gujarat” – M/s GIDC Electronic Park SEZ, Gandhinagar.
17. Best growth among SEZs under the Zonal Development Commissioner – M/s GIFT SEZ
18. “Best performer in Innovation and Sustainable Development among SEZs under the Zonal Development Commissioner” – M/s Pharmez SEZ (Zydus Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.) located at Matoda on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.