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Gem and jewellery exports lend shine to Cochin SEZ

Photo: Vipinchandran

SMOOTH FINISH: Work in progress at a ceramic unit at the Cochin Special Economic Zone which is in its silver jubilee year.

KOCHI: The Cochin Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which stands out from other SEZs in the country owing to its infrastructure, can thank gem and jewellery exports for taking its business past the billion dollar mark in its silver jubilee year.

Gem and jewellery exports from the zone were valued at Rs.3,600 crore during 2007-08, out of total exports of Rs.4,652 crore.

The performance of the gem and jewellery sector is an indication of the coming-of-age of the facilities at the SEZ, which had initially emphasised areas such as rubber and rubber products exports and electronics hardware.

Rubber products exports from the zone during 2007-08 stood at Rs.32 crore. During 2005-06, rubber products exports were to the tune of Rs.28.65 crore. In the following year, the exports touched Rs.43.4 crore.

Sources at the SEZ said Chinese rubber products had become very competitive in the international market.

The gem and jewellery exporters from the SEZ include Joy Alukkas Traders (India) Pvt. Ltd.; MTV Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.; Rajesh Exports Ltd.; Su-Raj Diamonds and Jewellery Ltd.; Kallarackal Maharani Gold; Kalyan Exporters and Importers; and AVM Platina Pvt. Ltd.

The other major contributors to the SEZ turnover include electronics hardware exports that fetched Rs.264 crore and software exports of Rs.120 crore, C.J. Mathew, Development Commissioner of the SEZ, said.

There are a total of 119 units in the zone, of which 101 are in operation and 18 are in various stages of commissioning. Products from the zone include textiles, engineering goods, ceramic products and processed food.

Multinationals such as Tyco and Baird McNutt and Indian groups such as Hindustan Lever, Tata, AVT, Leela and NeST operate units here. The zone has also opened its doors to British aircraft engine and component maker Magnum Aviation.

Export-oriented units in Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Mahe come under the Development Commissioner, Cochin SEZ. There are 63 export-oriented units in Kerala, 526 in Karnataka and one in Lakshadweep. Export-oriented units in Kerala accounted for total exports of Rs.1,079 crore in 2006-07, while those in Karnataka accounted for Rs.17,656 crore in the same period.

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